No Paychecks for Congress in Shutdowns, U.S. Senator Britt Proposes

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) urged lawmakers to pass the "No Shutdown Paychecks to Politicians Act" on March 20, 2026, speaking on the Senate floor in Washington, D.C. 

She joined Sen. John Kennedy's (R-La.) legislation to stop lawmakers from getting paychecks during shutdowns as federal workers are not getting paid. 

As the DHS shutdown continues into week six, Sen. Britt said lawmakers need to "share some pain" with military personnel, TSA agents, and others who are not getting paid. This bipartisan legislation will take lawmakers' paychecks until funding is passed. Back pay will not be allowed.

No Paychecks for Congress in Shutdowns, Senator Britt Proposes

U.S. Senator Katie Britt, chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, noted the 48 days without pay for essential workers: "We've got to feel that pressure equally to break these kinds of deadlocks." 

Kennedy's bill stops the paychecks right away upon the lapse of the shutdown. Similar measures from Rep. Bryan Steil gained attention last year during the prolonged crisis. Britt offered to forgo her salary first.

Government Shutdown Pain and Bipartisan Precedents

Federal workers, like the 800,000 furloughed and millions in delay, have bills to pay with no paychecks; soldiers serve without pay. 

Shutdowns have had voluntary forfeits by dozens of politicians, but no law requires it. Britt criticized Democrats for blocking clean resolutions 13 times. 

Labor unions support accountability; others say it is meaningless with constitutional pay guarantees.

No Shutdown Paychecks to Politicians Act Details and Political Push

The Senate bill makes changes to payroll rules, including daily deductions for each shutdown day, effective on the 119th Congress. 

Leadership members are not exempt, nor are they allowed to receive back pay. Britt rallied her peers, assuring them that they would make quicker deals if "eager" lawmakers forgo their paychecks. 

Senate vote on shutdown looming as shutdown affects airports, borders.

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The bill introduced by Senator Katie Britt underscores the need for change to how shutdowns are managed. As negotiations over funding continue, this idea of not paying lawmakers may be part of a larger conversation on change. Regardless of this bill's fate, there is public interest in this area.