Republican lawmakers claim they will not accept payment during government shutdown

Multiple Republican senators and lawmakers on Wednesday requested that they do not receive paychecks while the federal government is shut down as a show of support for their constituents and U.S. service members. 

Members of Congress are typically paid during a government shutdown, along with the president, but nonessential federal employees are typically furloughed and are not paid during the shutdown. 

Certain groups are still required to work, such as federal law enforcement officers, and departments can apply for exemptions to the furlough, but they are not paid until after the shutdown is lifted. 

Nebraska GOP Sen. Debra Fischer on Wednesday asked the Senate financial clerk to withhold her paycheck during the shutdown. 

"If our service members are not being paid during a government shutdown, neither should Members of Congress," Fischer said in a post on X. "I’ve asked that my pay be withheld until the government is reopened."

Florida Sen. Ashley Moody said that she will be donating her paycheck to a crisis center while the government is closed.

“Each day the government remains closed, I will be donating my salary to the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay which provides help to vulnerable populations who may be impacted by this reckless choice,” Moody told the Florida Phoenix. 

Other Florida Republican lawmakers echoed the sentiment, including Rep. Kat Cammack, who said Congress should not be given a paycheck if the military and federal law enforcement officers are not paid. 

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace have also asked the House and Senate's financial clerk to withhold their paychecks during the government shutdown.

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.

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