From Fox News: A Republican senator wants to stop members of Congress from receiving paychecks as federal workers go without pay during the ongoing government shutdown.
As the shutdown enters its 35th day, federal employees, air traffic controllers and other employees have either missed paychecks or received only partial pay. Members of Congress, however, are constitutionally required to get a paycheck, even if the government is closed.
Some lawmakers have said that they would forego a paycheck, while others have introduced legislation to prevent their colleagues from getting paid.
Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) announced Wednesday that he will be introducing two bills on Thursday that would both prevent lawmakers from getting paid if there is a government shutdown.
The first bill, the “No Shutdown Paychecks to Politicians Act,” would force lawmakers to go without pay for every day that a shutdown is underway, and the money would NOT be reimbursed once the government reopened.
The second bill, called the “Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act,” would be a Constitutional Amendment to not cut pay to lawmakers, but instead withhold it in escrow until after the November 2026 elections. This bill is an option in case anyone claims the first bill violates the 27th Amendment.
“My bills ensure Congress feels the same pain as the folks we’re failing to pay — our troops, air traffic controllers, and federal workers. If we can’t do our jobs and fund the government, we don’t deserve a paycheck — plain and simple,” Kennedy told Fox News.
“What’s good for the goose is good for the gander,” he quipped.
WATCH Kennedy’s remarks in the video below, as he spoke from the Senate floor Wednesday:
READ MORE from Fox News.
Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter.)
The DML News App: www.X.com/DMLNewsApp
