WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) delivered a pointed address on the U.S. Senate floor Wednesday, announcing his intention to introduce two bills aimed at stopping or withholding the pay of Members of Congress during a government shutdown.
The move, which the Senator argued is intended to provide necessary pressure to reopen the government, comes on what he noted was the 36th day of the shutdown. Senator Kennedy highlighted the severe financial strain on non-essential federal employees, citing reports that they have had to borrow $365 million to cover basic expenses, such as rent, during the closure.
He also noted that staff, military members, air traffic controllers, and recipients of SNAP payments are all facing pay cuts or delays.
“What’s good for the goose is good for the gander,” Senator Kennedy stated.
The Senator introduced two distinct bills to address potential constitutional concerns related to the 27th Amendment, which governs changes to Congressional compensation:
- The “No Shutdown Paychecks Act”: This bill would immediately cease the pay for all Members of Congress during a shutdown, with no provision for the money to be reimbursed or repaid at a later date.
- The “Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act”: This alternative measure addresses 27th Amendment concerns by having Congressional pay escrowed during the shutdown and only released to members after the government has been opened back up.
Senator Kennedy pointed to a past precedent, recalling that during the 2013 government shutdown, President Barack Obama supported similar legislation that threatened the loss of congressional pay if the government was not reopened by a certain date.
“And guess what? Members of Congress had an epiphany and they found religion,” the Senator said. “They had a ‘do-the-right-thing’ moment, and they opened up government, and that’s all this bill will do.”
The Senator confirmed that he would bring both bills before the Senate for a vote on Thursday.
READ: Speaker Emerita, California Rep. Nancy Pelosi Announces Retirement From Congress
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