Posted on 11/07/2025 1:47:31 AM PST by metmom
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.
*snip*
Kennedy’s desire to see that lawmakers don’t get paid runs into the Constitution, however.
Article I, Section 6 of the Constitution requires that "Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States."
Then there is the 27th Amendment, ratified in 1992, which prevents Congress from passing a law affecting its pay during the current congressional term.
That’s where his other bill, "Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act," comes into play. That legislation would sidestep the 27th Amendment by not cutting pay to lawmakers, but instead withholding it in escrow until after the November 2026 elections.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Now, make them vote on this.
While halting Congressional pay is a great idea, all I can say to Senator Kennedy and the rest of the GOP is by waiting until 5+ WEEKS INTO THE SHUTDOWN IS TOO LITTLE TOO LATE.
DUMBASSES!!!!
Should’a happened at the start!
They can all miss a paycheck or two standing on their heads.
Why would they get paid ,they are Government workers? These Asswho’s are so out of touch, of the real working families it makes me puke.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t care if the Government ever reopens.
Randpaul already poo pooing that
He’s a real PITA
Wouldn’t affect anything. Most of them are probably cash flush from on the other income they have.
Then only the crooks will get paid by lobbyists, kickbacks and bribery. Most of their work is already for the benefit of organized crime.
Include their staffs’ paychecks, too. Many of them can’t tie their shoes without staff doing it for them.
I doubt there is a single senator that needs the money
I saw that yesterday. Rand sure screwed the pooch on that.
Halt ALL benefits. Travel, healthcare, clothing, offices, staff.
ALL OF IT. F’ em.
Truth be known, most have committed a felony to get where they are.
A bill is needed to require congress to meet 6 days per week and only work on appropriation bills during a shutdown.
Think about it. The government shut down because congress failed to do its main constitutional duty. They need to be forced to finish their job.
EC
I’ve advocated that since day one. It should be expanded to cover the regular budgets as well. No more CRs; if a budget is not agreed to and passed by the end of the fiscal year, congressional pay stops, period. And no back pay when they finally do their job.
It is pretty clear that a elected official in Congress can make at least one million dollars a year by insider trading opportunities offered to them. And this is completely legal, according to the laws passed by Congress.
Some do much better. Starting from zero, AOC reportedly has a net worth of over 30 million dollars after just 6 years in Congress. Nice work if you can get it.
The salary they are paid simply does not matter.
Sen. John Kennedy, an alleged conservative, also is against ending the filibuster via the misnamed nuclear option.
In other words, this proposal is performance theater by Sen. Kennedy.
Hey Johnny, about to start to vote on all the appropriations bills via majority vote and fund the government at the pre-COVID levels and rules, including the end of the Obamacare subsidies.
And just switch the filibuster to what it used to be: talk till you drop.
Kennedy's plan is probably the ONLY way to get the dems to move. Otherwise they'll have to pressure their "sponsors" that provide the kickbacks and bribes.
How is it that congress STILL gets paid if there are no APPROVED appropriations?
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