Lawmakers from both parties pledge to forgo paychecks as government shutdown drags on

WASHINGTON, DC: As the federal government shutdown enters its seventh day, lawmakers from both parties are pledging to give up their paychecks in solidarity with affected federal workers.

The shutdown began after Senate Democrats repeatedly rejected a Republican-backed stopgap bill to fund federal agencies.

Republicans and Democrats recommend on pay withholding

According to Fox News Digital, among Republicans, Reps Chip Roy (Texas), Ashley Hinson (Iowa), Tom Barrett (Michigan), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Iowa), and Rob Bresnahan (Pennsylvania) have formally asked the Chief Administrative Officer of the US House to withhold their pay during the shutdown.

Democratic Reps Josh Gottheimer (New Jersey) and Lou Correa (California) have made similar requests, underscoring a rare moment of bipartisan agreement on the issue. 

Why members of Congress still get paid amid government shutdown

Despite their requests, members of Congress cannot legally forgo their salaries altogether.

Article I of the Constitution mandates that lawmakers receive compensation “ascertained by law,” while the 27th Amendment prohibits any changes to congressional pay until after the next election.

Members can, however, delay receiving their salaries until the shutdown ends, at which point they are paid retroactively.

Rank-and-file members of Congress earn $174,000 annually, a figure unchanged since 2009. Lawmakers in leadership positions receive higher pay.

Those choosing to withhold their pay will receive it as back pay once the shutdown concludes. Rep Joe Morelle (D-NY) noted that such withheld salaries can be placed in a separate account during the shutdown.

A few lawmakers are going further by pledging to donate their pay to charitable causes. Sen Ashley Moody (R-Fla) said she would give her salary to the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, an organization that helps vulnerable residents affected by the shutdown.

“Each day the government remains closed, I will be donating my salary to the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay,” Moody said last week.

Meanwhile, Sen Lindsey Graham (R-SC) also announced his intent to donate his pay, joining a growing list of lawmakers seeking to send a message as the impasse continues.

GOP and Democrats point fingers over government shutdown deadlock

House Speaker Mike Johnson accused Senate Democrats of dragging their feet on ending the ongoing government shutdown, claiming they were using the crisis for political gain.

“They’re not serious. This is not a serious negotiation. They’re doing this to get political cover,” Johnson said on NBC’s 'Meet the Press,' singling out Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for allegedly turning the shutdown into a campaign issue. Johnson also blamed Senate Democrats for triggering the shutdown, saying they prioritized emergency health funding for undocumented immigrants over broader spending measures.

Appearing earlier on the same program, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries countered Johnson’s claims, arguing that Republicans and President Donald Trump have abandoned talks to reopen the government.

“The last time there was a conversation with Republican leadership was in the White House meeting last Monday,” Jeffries said.

“And unfortunately, since that point in time, Republicans, including Donald Trump, have gone radio silent.” Jeffries accused the GOP of “negotiation through deepfake videos,” referring to AI-generated content Trump has posted online mocking Democratic leaders.