Sen. John Kennedy, a Republican from Louisiana with old-school values about right and wrong, is authoring two bills that would stop paychecks to members of Congress during the federal shutdown.

His “No Shutdown Paychecks to Politicians Act” calls for lawmakers to lose their pay for every day of a shutdown. However, the bill appears to conflict with Article I, Section 6 of the Constitution: “Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.”

Kennedy’s second bill is the “Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act.” If it were to become law, the act would withhold congressional paycheck funds during the shutdown in escrow until after the November 2026 elections.

Added Tax on Congressional Paychecks?

Meanwhile Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, came up with another way to inflict pain on members of Congress during the shutdown. His legislation would impose a tax that increases every day the Senate is in session during the shutdown.

Kennedy said that it just isn’t fair for many federal employees to work without pay during the shutdown. Or for the military to receive partial pay. He also said, while noting the confusion surrounding SNAP benefits, that people shouldn’t go hungry.

Members of Congress make $174,000 annually.

Air traffic controllers aren’t getting paid.

Federal employees aren’t getting paid.

Practically the only people in our government who ARE getting paid are members of Congress.

That’s why I brought two bills to the Senate floor to stop paying Congress during shutdowns. pic.twitter.com/3fHc3neGmp

— John Kennedy (@SenJohnKennedy) November 7, 2025