Congress members won’t take pay during government shutdown
The article reports that several members of Congress from both the Democratic and Republican parties have voluntarily asked to have their pay withheld during the ongoing government shutdown. They argue that they should face the same financial consequences as federal workers and military personnel who are working without pay. among the Republicans requesting to forgo their paychecks are Representatives Chip Roy, Gus Bilirakis, Tom Barrett, and others, including the entire Iowa House delegation.On the Democratic side,lawmakers such as Suhas Subramanyam,Seth Moulton,and Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim have also made similar requests. These members believe it is unfair for congress to continue receiving salaries while federal employees suffer due to the funding lapse. The government shutdown began on October 1, 2025, after the Senate failed to pass a short-term funding bill, leading to a political standoff with both parties blaming each other for the impasse.
Members of Congress ask for pay to be withheld during government shutdown
A handful of Democrats and Republicans are asking that their pay be withheld during the government shutdown, arguing that they should face the same consequences as federal workers and agents.
Among the Republicans asking for their paychecks to be paused are Reps. Chip Roy (R-TX), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Tom Barrett (R-WI), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Bob Latta (R-OH), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ), Young Kim (R-CA), and Rob Bresnahan (R-PA). All four members of the Iowa delegation to the House have also decided to forgo pay until the government reopens.
The lawmakers have insisted they don’t want to see a paycheck until “an appropriations agreement has taken effect.”
In his letter, Barrett stated that it is “wrong” for federal employees and military personnel to continue working without pay, while the president and members of Congress still receive a paycheck.
“In the event of a lapse in appropriations…I believe that fairness dictates that my pay also be withheld until such a time that normal government operations resume,” Barrett wrote.
On a press call, Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) said he plans to ask for his pay to be withheld “if needed” — noting that members don’t get paid until the end of October and, “I’m sincerely hoping that we can get through this before the end of the month.”
On the Democratic side, Reps. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Eugene Vindman (D-VA), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), and Nellie Pou (D-NJ), as well as Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Andy Kim (D-NJ), are asking for their pay to be withheld.
“While Republicans force this shutdown and federal workers and contractors go without pay, I will not accept a paycheck and will continue to stand up for the men and women who protect our communities,” Subramanyam said in a post.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ENTERS SHUTDOWN AFTER CONGRESS LETS FUNDING EXPIRE
The government shut down on Oct. 1 at midnight after the Senate was unable to reach the 60-vote filibuster threshold to pass a short-term spending deal to Nov. 21. The Democrats’ continuing resolution proposal, which would punt the funding deadline to Oct. 31, also failed in the upper chamber.
The blame game is in full swing, with Democrats accusing Republicans of not coming to the negotiating table, while Republicans argue Democrats wanted to stuff a “clean” CR with “poison pills” and unreasonable healthcare demands.
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