Congress, president will still be paid during government shutdown

Congress broke for the Yom Kippur holiday on Wednesday without passing a continuing resolution to reopen the federal government, meaning the shutdown will last at least until Friday, but the move is not expected to impact Congressional coffers.

The House passed a resolution last month that would keep the government funded through Nov. 21 but the resolution stalled in the Senate because of Democratic opposition. Senate Republicans need bipartisan support because it takes 60 votes in the Senate to pass the resolution and there are just 53 Republicans.

Nonessential federal employees are typically furloughed during a government shutdown, during which they are not paid by the government. Certain groups are still required to work, such as federal law enforcement officers, and departments can apply for exemptions to the furlough, but no employee will be paid until after the shutdown is lifted. 

Members of Congress will continue to receive their paychecks because of how their salaries are designated in the United States Constitution, which says senators and lawmakers will receive compensation that is ascertained by law and paid by the U.S. Treasury. The 27th Amendment says any changes to congressional compensation cannot take effect until after the next congressional election.

Most senators and lawmakers are paid $174,000 a year, while the House speaker makes $223,500 and the Senate president pro tempore makes $193,400 a year. Party leaders in both chambers also make $193,400 a year, per CBS News.

The president also continues receiving his $400,000 a year salary during government shutdowns because the Constitution prohibits reducing a president's salary while he is in office. President Trump has continued donating his presidential salary to various government agencies and projects. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.