Senator Kennedy proposed the rule change after the longest full and partial government shutdowns in the nation’s history.
The U.S. Senate unanimously voted to move a resolution forward that would stop senators from receiving compensation during future government shutdowns. The rule change, introduced by Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana, comes after the longest government shutdown ever in the fall of 2025 and an even longer partial shutdown of funding for the Department of Homeland Security this year.
Senator Kennedy stated, “This is about shared sacrifice. If senators are going to vote to shut down the government and prevent millions of federal workers from getting paid, they ought to have the same skin in the game. My resolution will ensure that senators aren’t the only people receiving their paychecks during a government shutdown.”
Representative Bryan Steil of Wisconsin has introduced a similar bill in the House of Representatives.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Senator Kennedy and his colleagues as they prepare to vote on the rule change that would suspend compensation in the event of a government shutdown.
- For members of the House as they consider similar legislation regarding legislative pay during federal funding lapses.
Sources: Roll Call, Kennedy.Senate.gov,
