“I don’t see missing paychecks or empty dinner plates as leverage or bargaining chips. 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.”
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, last week introduced two critical pieces of legislation that ensure Members of Congress do not receive a paycheck until the federal government reopens following a shutdown or lapse in appropriations.
The No Shutdown Paychecks to Politicians Act ensures that Members of Congress do not receive a paycheck during a government shutdown. Members will also not receive back pay.
The Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act (S.3057) mandates that payroll administrators for each House of Congress keep Members of Congress' paychecks in escrow accounts during a government shutdown. The funds are only disbursed at the start of the next Congress.
“I don’t see missing paychecks or empty dinner plates as leverage or bargaining chips. 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,” said Kennedy.
Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI-1), Chairman of the U.S. Committee on House Administration, introduced the companion bill of the Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“There is no reason our government should be shut down. Senate Democrats must do the right thing and vote to reopen the government. If service members, men and women of federal law enforcement, and other essential employees are working without pay during the Schumer shutdown, members of Congress should not be paid either,” said Steil.
Full text of the No Shutdown Paychecks to Politicians Act is available here.
Full text of the Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act is available here.
Read more about the bills in Fox News Digital here.
