Who it affects
- U.S. senators
Passed the SenateGovernment
Senators' pay during government shutdowns
S.Res. 526 · Resolution · Introduced Dec. 3, 2025
This bill would withhold senators' pay during federal government shutdowns and pay them as soon as practical after shutdowns end.
What stands out
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These are patterns in public records, not proof that money changed a vote. The same rules apply to every member. How we decide
At a glance
Where it stands
The Senate voted 99 to 0 to start debate on May 13.
How South Carolina voted
Lobbying and money
No lobbying reported yet
Lobbyists report every three months, about 20 days after each quarter ends. We have January 2025 through September 2026 reports. Newer reports will be added once filed and published.
What it would do
- Senators would not receive pay during a federal government shutdown.
- This includes shutdowns affecting just one federal agency or department.
- Senators would receive the withheld pay as soon as practical after the shutdown ends.
- The restriction starts the day after the regularly scheduled November 2026 general election for federal office.
Written with AI from the official summary by Congress's research office.
How South Carolina voted
Senate vote
Vote to start debate
Needed 60 to end a filibuster
May 13, 2026 · Approved 99 to 0
- Republicans
- 52 yes
- 0 no
- Democrats
- 45 yes
- 0 no
- Independents
- 2 yes
- 0 no
Groups that lobbied on it and gave to SC's members
PAC, lobbyist campaign and qualifying employee money this election, shown separately and never added together. Lobbying reports name the bills a group worked on, not which side it took.
No lobbying reported yet. Lobbyists report every three months, about 20 days after each quarter ends. We have January 2025 through September 2026 reports. Newer reports will be added once filed and published.
Official record
Official title, sponsor and status
- Official title
- A resolution withholding the pay of Senators if a Government shutdown occurs.
- Sponsor
- Sen. Kennedy, John (R-LA)
- Introduced
- Dec. 3, 2025
- Cosponsors
- 4
- Committees
- Senate Rules and Administration Committee
- Latest action
- May 14, 2026 · Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S2295)
Official summary from the Congressional Research Service
This resolution withholds compensation from Senators during any federal government shutdown (i.e., lapse in appropriations for one or more federal agencies or departments). Senators are to be paid as soon as practicable after the date on which the government shutdown ends. The restriction applies beginning on the day after the regularly scheduled general election for federal office held in November 2026. (As background, the U.S. Constitution provides that legislation varying the level of compensation paid to members of Congress may not take effect until an intervening election has occurred.)
Summary on Congress.gov ↗Everyone who lobbied on this bill (0 groups)
No lobbying report we have loaded names this bill. That doesn't mean no lobbying took place.
Lobbyists report every three months, about 20 days after each quarter ends. We have January 2025 through September 2026 reports. Newer reports will be added once filed and published. Reports for October through December 2026 are due January 20, 2027.