Senator Pay to Be Withheld in Shutdowns Under Panel-Backed Bill

Senators would forgo pay during future government shutdowns under a resolution now advancing to the Senate floor.

The Senate Rules and Administration Committee approved a measure (S. Res. 526) that would withhold pay for senators during government shutdowns starting after the November 2026 elections. The panel voted by voice to advance the resolution Thursday.

Federal workers and congressional staffers worked without pay during the longest shutdown in history that ended in November while lawmakers continued to collect paychecks, though some donated the money or asked for it to be held back.

Pay for lawmakers is mandated in the ...