No pay, No Leave for Government Officials During Shutdowns
The Issue
I am a retired disabled U.S. Air Force veteran who gave my youth to protect this nation and the people who keep it running. During my years of service, I saw firsthand how ordinary Americans — soldiers, civil servants, and their families — carry the burden when our government fails to do its job. When Washington shuts down, those same Americans go without pay while the people responsible for the shutdown keep collecting their salaries and privileges. That violates the basic sense of fairness.
This petition calls upon the United States Congress and the President of the United States to enact legislation ensuring that during any federal government shutdown, no member of Congress, the President, or senior executive official can receive pay, take paid leave, or be absent from duty until government funding is restored. This accountability measure is not only a stand for fairness but a necessary reform to align the interests of our lawmakers with those they serve.
Statistics show that during shutdowns, hundreds of thousands of federal employees face personal financial crises, with many scrambling to make ends meet. In the 2018-2019 government shutdown, approximately 800,000 federal employees were furloughed or worked without pay, affecting their ability to pay mortgages, bills, and even buy groceries. Yet, officials who are instrumental in causing the shutdown continued to receive their usual pay and privileges, a stark contrast to the struggles of everyday citizens.
The proposed legislation would ensure that government officials experience the same urgency and consequences of a shutdown as federal employees and the public. By doing so, it is anticipated that there will be quicker resolutions and a greater incentive to avoid shutdowns altogether.
It is time to demand accountability and fairness. By implementing these measures, we ensure our country's leaders remain in touch with the real-life challenges of their constituents. I urge you to sign this petition to support this change and bring about a fair resolution process during government standstills.
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The Issue
I am a retired disabled U.S. Air Force veteran who gave my youth to protect this nation and the people who keep it running. During my years of service, I saw firsthand how ordinary Americans — soldiers, civil servants, and their families — carry the burden when our government fails to do its job. When Washington shuts down, those same Americans go without pay while the people responsible for the shutdown keep collecting their salaries and privileges. That violates the basic sense of fairness.
This petition calls upon the United States Congress and the President of the United States to enact legislation ensuring that during any federal government shutdown, no member of Congress, the President, or senior executive official can receive pay, take paid leave, or be absent from duty until government funding is restored. This accountability measure is not only a stand for fairness but a necessary reform to align the interests of our lawmakers with those they serve.
Statistics show that during shutdowns, hundreds of thousands of federal employees face personal financial crises, with many scrambling to make ends meet. In the 2018-2019 government shutdown, approximately 800,000 federal employees were furloughed or worked without pay, affecting their ability to pay mortgages, bills, and even buy groceries. Yet, officials who are instrumental in causing the shutdown continued to receive their usual pay and privileges, a stark contrast to the struggles of everyday citizens.
The proposed legislation would ensure that government officials experience the same urgency and consequences of a shutdown as federal employees and the public. By doing so, it is anticipated that there will be quicker resolutions and a greater incentive to avoid shutdowns altogether.
It is time to demand accountability and fairness. By implementing these measures, we ensure our country's leaders remain in touch with the real-life challenges of their constituents. I urge you to sign this petition to support this change and bring about a fair resolution process during government standstills.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on November 6, 2025