As the government shutdown hit its 29th day, several senators and representatives on both sides of the aisle have decided to withhold their paychecks.
Federal employees have been furloughed and have not received paychecks since the Senate failed to vote on a continuing resolution to fund the government. Congress members, who have the option to accept, withhold, or donate their paychecks during a shutdown, have united in rejecting their paychecks in solidarity until the shutdown ends, with some confirming their status publicly.
Members donating their paychecks
In addition to withholding their paychecks, some in Congress took the extra step of pledging them to charity.
“To stand in solidarity with our government workers, I requested my Congressional salary be withheld for the duration of this shutdown,” Rep. April Delaney (D-MD) wrote on X. “I plan on donating my pay to nonprofits within the 6th District that are addressing food insecurity for families impacted by cuts to SNAP and other federal programs.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) wrote, “My offices across South Carolina and in D.C. will continue to be open even though portions of the federal government are shutdown.”
“Also during the shutdown, I am donating my salary to the Upstate Warrior Solution, which is a non-profit providing community-based solutions to warriors and their families in South Carolina,” he added.
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) wrote, “As many federal workers continue to work without pay, I’ve refused to accept my own and will donate my salary to Colorado organizations in need once Republicans come to the table and finally end their shutdown.”
Republican representatives
“I’ve signed a letter committing not to accept my congressional pay during a government shutdown,” Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) wrote on X on Wednesday. “While Senate Democrats continue to keep the government closed, hardworking Americans are the ones paying the price. If they go without pay, their representatives should too.”
Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL) wrote, “While Democrats keep the government shut down, I haven’t nor will I take a paycheck during this shutdown—because if our troops & federal employees are going without pay, Congress should too.”
Cammack also posted a poll from a recent town hall, which reported that over 93% of attendees agreed that Congress members should not receive pay when the government is shut down.
“I refuse to receive compensation while the pay of tens of thousands of Oklahomans is held hostage by Senate Democrats,” Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK) wrote.
In an interview he shared on X, Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS) said, “I don’t get paid either. I think that’s important. I signed a document that said I don’t get paid until other federal employees get paid.”
Republican senators
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) commented on a video of Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) explaining that “we still get paid” as representatives.
“Actually, @JasminForUS just because you’re in Congress, you don’t HAVE to get paid during a shutdown. That is a CHOICE. I’m NOT taking a paycheck (see below) as long as your party keeps the government closed,” Cruz wrote on X. “You could do the same….”
In an interview he posted on X on Tuesday, Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) said, “If the people who work in federal government who are serving by the way members of Congress all the time as we’re trying to get the government back open, if they’re not getting paid, then we shouldn’t get paid. That’s one of the reasons I withheld my pay during this. We shouldn’t do this. We shouldn’t have government shutdowns.”
Democratic representatives
“On Day One of the shutdown, I signed a letter refusing my congressional salary until the government is open again. With nearly 15,000 federal workers in #TX28, I won’t take a paycheck while they go without theirs. I feel their pain and I stand with them – now and always,” Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) wrote on X.
Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI) wrote, “Republican inaction is keeping federal workers from getting their paychecks. In solidarity with those working without pay & furloughed, I asked my paycheck be withheld until there is bipartisan action that ends Trump’s shutdown, stops the cuts, lowers costs & saves health care.”
Rep. Johnny Olszewski (D-MD) wrote, “Members of Congress should be treated exactly the same as we’re asking employees of this government to be treated. I’m withholding my congressional pay for the duration of the federal government shutdown, and I call on my colleagues in both the House and Senate to do the same.”
Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D-MD) wrote, “I should be treated like any other federal employee. If they’re not getting paid, neither am I. That’s why I’ve requested my pay be withheld during this government shutdown.”
Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-MD) wrote in early October, “Last week I requested to have my federal pay withheld until after the government shutdown has ended. I continue to stand with the thousands of federal government employees who are being forced to work without pay.”
Rep. Janelle Bynum (D-OR) wrote, “It would not be right for me to continue to be paid while public servants in Oregon are not receiving their salaries through no fault of their own. That’s why, until the government reopens, I will be withholding my pay.”
Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) wrote before the Oct. 1 deadline, “Today, I formally requested that my salary be withheld if a government shutdown occurs. If our service members and federal workers won’t get paid because of Trump and far-right extremists, Members of Congress shouldn’t either.”
Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) wrote, “I’m deferring my salary until Republicans come to the table in good faith, do their jobs, and end Trump’s government shutdown.”
DEMOCRATS INSIST GOP TO BLAME FOR FEDERAL WORKERS’ PAIN DESPITE UNION URGING CR PASSAGE
The House chief administrative officer had “no comment” when asked by the Washington Examiner which representatives chose to withhold their paychecks.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the Senate Employment Office for comment.
