First I want to thank Marissa for her comment, information and links! It’s very important that beyond signing this petition we reach out to our elected members and let them hear from us directly! They are aware of this petition, the day after it was posted 2 Senators announced plans to introduce bills to withhold pay but an online petition won’t matter to them as much as hearing from us directly. They believe that this is a political stunt so let’s show them it’s not by blowing up those phone lines! If you call be polite, they tend to dismiss calls & messages where the caller is cursing and making threats - that’s not what we want. We want them to listen, grow up, and do their jobs!

The federal government shutdown, which began on October 1, 2025, after Congress failed to pass appropriations bills, has now stretched into its 39th day, making it the longest in U.S. history—surpassing the 35-day shutdown of 2018-2019. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers are furloughed or working without pay, including essential personnel like air traffic controllers, border agents, and military support staff. Essential services like Social Security payments and national security operations continue, but non-essential functions across agencies like the EPA, IRS, and national parks remain halted. Economic impacts are mounting, with estimates of daily losses exceeding $1 billion.

Recent Developments in Congress
- Senate Weekend Session: The Senate convened a rare Saturday session on November 8 to negotiate an end to the shutdown. Bipartisan talks showed signs of progress, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) expressing optimism about reaching a deal soon. However, Republicans rejected a Democratic proposal on November 7 that would have reopened the government in exchange for a one-year extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies.
- Failed Votes on Worker Pay: Late on November 7, the Senate rejected a Republican-led bill (introduced by Sen. Ron Johnson) to immediately resume paychecks for federal workers during the shutdown. Democrats blocked it, arguing it lacked sufficient protections against potential misuse by the Trump administration, such as diverting funds to unrelated priorities. A similar GOP motion to pay federal employees was also defeated along party lines.
- House Inactivity: The House of Representatives has not been in session since September 19, exacerbating delays. Democrats have accused Republicans of stalling on a clean continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government at current levels.

Talks could intensify next week, with a potential vote on a bipartisan CR. President Trump has urged Congress to act, blaming Democrats for the impasse, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for immediate action to avoid further hardship.

News on Bills to Strip Congressional Pay During Shutdowns
Several Republican lawmakers have introduced or pushed legislation this week to withhold pay from members of Congress during shutdowns, aiming to pressure lawmakers to resolve funding disputes faster. These proposals build on past efforts like the No Budget, No Pay Act but are tailored to the current crisis.

- Sen. John Kennedy's Bills: On November 4, Louisiana Republican Sen. John Kennedy introduced the "No Shutdown Paychecks to Politicians Act," which would prohibit members of Congress from receiving salaries during any government shutdown. He also proposed a companion bill to extend this to senior executive branch officials. Kennedy argued it ensures "skin in the game" for politicians, stating, "Members of Congress should not receive a paycheck during a government shutdown." Critics, including some legal experts, contend it could violate the Constitution's 27th Amendment, which bars retroactive pay changes for Congress.
- Rep. Bryan Steil's House Bill: On November 7, Wisconsin Republican Rep. Bryan Steil introduced a companion measure in the House to halt pay for House members during shutdowns, aligning with Kennedy's Senate effort.
- Sen. Rick Scott's Push: Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott took to the Senate floor on November 6 to advocate for the "No Budget, No Pay Act," which would suspend congressional pay until a budget is passed (by Oct 1 deadline if there is no budget, before any shutdown occurs!) He criticized Democrats for "depriving troops and federal employees of their paychecks" while lawmakers continue to receive salaries.

These bills faced immediate resistance. I would tell you who blocked the bills but then I get accused of choosing sides so i suggest looking it up on YouTube and watching that debate yourself or look at the Senate website. “A group of Senators” voted against a motion to withhold congressional pay during the shutdown, viewing it as a political stunt rather than a solution. No floor votes on the pay-withholding measures have advanced yet, and with the shutdown ongoing, they remain symbolic for now.

For the latest, monitor official sources like Congress.gov or the White House shutdown tracker. If negotiations stall further, impacts could worsen, including delayed veterans' benefits and strained disaster response ahead of hurricane season wrap-up.