A U.S. Capitol Police vehicle is seen outside the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 12, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz
(Washington, DC) – Senators are moving to make government shutdowns hit Capitol Hill where it hurts: their own paychecks.
The Senate voted to withhold members’ salaries during future shutdowns, a move aimed at answering public anger over lawmakers continuing to get paid while federal workers and key agencies get caught in budget fights.
The idea is simple. If Congress cannot keep the government funded, senators should not collect pay as if nothing happened. Supporters say it creates accountability and forces lawmakers to share the pressure felt by the rest of the country.
The move comes after shutdown battles put federal services, national security operations and workers’ finances under strain.
