No Pay for Congress During Government Shutdowns
No Pay for Congress During Government Shutdowns
The Issue
To the Members of the United States Congress,
When our federal government shuts down, over a million federal employees are forced to work without pay or face indefinite furlough. Families lose paychecks, bills pile up, and vital public services suffer. Yet, Congress members continue receiving full taxpayer-funded salaries—even when those same taxpayers go unpaid.
Congress, please explain: Why should lawmakers be paid when government workers aren't? This double standard is unreasonable and unacceptable.
Current rules are clear: Congress remains exempt from the hardships of shutdowns. Yet, millions of federal workers can't work, lose their jobs, or are required to work without pay.
Government workers are expected to make financial sacrifices, and those responsible for passing budgets and keeping the government open should not be exempt.
Public service means accountability, not privilege.
We, the undersigned, call for immediate legislative action:
- No member of Congress should receive pay during a shutdown.
Congressional salaries must be suspended, not deferred, during these periods. - Lawmakers should be held to the same financial standards as the federal employees they represent.
- Take action and ratify bills such as H.R. 1973, "No Pay for Congress During Default or Shutdown Act"
It is time for Congress members to lead by example and share the consequences of their inaction. Enough with double standards—serve the people, your constituents, not only yourselves.
Lawmakers donating their shutdown pay is voluntary and not a substitute for a legal requirement.
Sign below to demand accountability, fairness, and a higher standard of public service.
Supporting Facts & Proposals:
As of November 2025, more than 1 million federal employees are missing paychecks due to the current shutdown. https://bipartisanpolicy.org/explainer/who-is-missing-paychecks-in-the-2025-shutdown-when-and-where/
Congress members continue to be paid as required by Article I, Section 6 of the Constitution, unless new legislation or a constitutional amendment is passed. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/government-shutdown-2025-does-congress-get-paid/
Bills such as H.R. 1973 ("No Pay for Congress During Default or Shutdown Act") and recent constitutional amendment proposals have been introduced, but require further action to become law. https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=453D83D5-BC4A-49AD-A4C4-0B6D8C3D7BF5
2
The Issue
To the Members of the United States Congress,
When our federal government shuts down, over a million federal employees are forced to work without pay or face indefinite furlough. Families lose paychecks, bills pile up, and vital public services suffer. Yet, Congress members continue receiving full taxpayer-funded salaries—even when those same taxpayers go unpaid.
Congress, please explain: Why should lawmakers be paid when government workers aren't? This double standard is unreasonable and unacceptable.
Current rules are clear: Congress remains exempt from the hardships of shutdowns. Yet, millions of federal workers can't work, lose their jobs, or are required to work without pay.
Government workers are expected to make financial sacrifices, and those responsible for passing budgets and keeping the government open should not be exempt.
Public service means accountability, not privilege.
We, the undersigned, call for immediate legislative action:
- No member of Congress should receive pay during a shutdown.
Congressional salaries must be suspended, not deferred, during these periods. - Lawmakers should be held to the same financial standards as the federal employees they represent.
- Take action and ratify bills such as H.R. 1973, "No Pay for Congress During Default or Shutdown Act"
It is time for Congress members to lead by example and share the consequences of their inaction. Enough with double standards—serve the people, your constituents, not only yourselves.
Lawmakers donating their shutdown pay is voluntary and not a substitute for a legal requirement.
Sign below to demand accountability, fairness, and a higher standard of public service.
Supporting Facts & Proposals:
As of November 2025, more than 1 million federal employees are missing paychecks due to the current shutdown. https://bipartisanpolicy.org/explainer/who-is-missing-paychecks-in-the-2025-shutdown-when-and-where/
Congress members continue to be paid as required by Article I, Section 6 of the Constitution, unless new legislation or a constitutional amendment is passed. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/government-shutdown-2025-does-congress-get-paid/
Bills such as H.R. 1973 ("No Pay for Congress During Default or Shutdown Act") and recent constitutional amendment proposals have been introduced, but require further action to become law. https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=453D83D5-BC4A-49AD-A4C4-0B6D8C3D7BF5
2
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Petition created on November 4, 2025