Senators Agree to Withhold Pay During Federal Shutdowns
Senators approved a resolution to suspend their pay during government shutdowns, aiming to make closures financially impactful for lawmakers themselves. The bipartisan measure follows frequent shutdowns, with senators agreeing to forgo salaries when federal closures occur, until normal government funding resumes.
In a unanimous move, senators approved a resolution on Thursday to suspend their salaries during government shutdowns. The action aims to ensure that lawmakers feel the financial effects of federal closures, which have become increasingly common in recent times.
This bipartisan measure reflects growing frustration among senators over repeated government shutdowns, underscoring the need for accountability when Congress fails in its legislative responsibilities. Under the new rule, the secretary of the Senate would hold back senators' pay whenever a shutdown affects federal agencies, releasing the funds only once government funding is reestablished.
Senator John Kennedy, the resolution's sponsor, emphasized the importance of this initiative in a speech, stating, "Shutting down government should not be our default solution to our refusal to work out our issues and our differences. This is about putting our money where our mouth is."
(With inputs from agencies.)
Google News