By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News
As the government shutdown continues, impacting the pay of federal workers, Utah congressional Rep. Mike Kennedy is proposing a new bill to ensure that members of Congress aren’t paid during the shutdown – following the same pay restrictions as federal employees.
“Federal employees in Utah are calling my office, worried about missed paychecks and bills coming due. They want to work and they deserve better than to be caught in the middle of political games,” said Kennedy in a social media post. “I introduced the No Work, No Pay Act to make sure members of Congress feel the same consequences as the workers they represent when government shuts down.”
Federal employees in Utah are calling my office, worried about missed paychecks and bills coming due. They want to work and they deserve better than to be caught in the middle of political games.
One single-income parent told me they’re not sure how they’ll make rent if this…
— Rep. Mike Kennedy, M.D. (@RepMikeKennedy) October 14, 2025
The proposed measure would prohibit members of Congress from receiving pay during any period during which the government is shut down. Congress.gov explains that the compensation for a rank-and-file member of Congress is $174,000, an amount that has remained unchanged since 2009.
“This measure is about restoring fairness and accountability. There are those that want to promote that kind of weaponization of the government being open or not,” said Rep. Kennedy. “It’s inappropriate. I think it’s a terrible weapon that both sides have used.” Kennedy continued, “If we’re not going to pass a budget, we’re not going to fund the government, we shouldn’t get paid either. I just think that’s totally appropriate.”
The bill would accomplish this by directing payroll administrators to exclude shutdown days from congressional and senate payrolls, ensuring that lawmakers are also impacted by a lack of compensation during shutdowns.
“It’s time to stop using government shutdowns as a tool for political leverage. We need to come together and find long-term, bipartisan solutions to keep essential government services operating without interruption,” said Kennedy. “Hardworking Americans shouldn’t pay the price for Washington’s dysfunction. This bill is about restoring fairness and accountability. If lawmakers can’t do their jobs, they shouldn’t get paid.”