Senators Advance Resolution to Withhold Their Pay During Shutdowns

The U.S. Senate unanimously agreed to advance a resolution that would withhold the paychecks of all senators during future federal government shutdowns. The proposal passed on a 99–1 cloture vote on May 13, with Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) not voting. The resolution will move forward to a final Senate vote, which will likely pass due to the overwhelming support shown among lawmakers on Wednesday’s vote. The rule is not a bill and won’t require approval from the House or a signature from President Donald Trump. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) introduced the resolution in December 2025, saying it was about “shared sacrifice” with the federal workers who were forced to work without paychecks during shutdowns as paid lawmakers debated government funding on Capitol Hill....