Bresnahan to Refuse Pay During Potential Government Shutdown; Cosponsors Legislation to Mandate Pay for Military, Border Patrol

WASHINGTON, DC: Today, U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08) sent a letter to Catherine Szpindor, the Chief Administrative Officer of the U.S. House, asking his pay be withheld should the government shut down on October 1.

"I am deeply disappointed Congress is once again approaching the brink of a potential government shutdown…" wrote Rep. Bresnahan. "In solidarity with my constituents, who expect Congress to do the most basic part of our job by keeping the government open, I will refuse to accept any of my paychecks during a government shutdown, and I ask you withhold any of my pay while the federal government remains shuttered."

Rep. Bresnahan voted for H.R. 5371, Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026, which would extend government funding through November 21, 2025. This continuing resolution (CR) currently sits with the U.S. Senate.

"I was proud to vote for a CR to keep the government open while work continues on the full appropriations process," said Rep. Bresnahan. "But, until we cross the finish line, the buck stops here - literally."

Rep. Bresnahan is a cosponsor of several pieces of legislation addressing pay during a government shutdown, specifically:

• H.R. 5401, Pay Our Troops Act, which would ensure members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the Coast Guard, continue receiving pay and benefits in the event of a government shutdown. Rep. Bresnahan is an original cosponsor of this legislation.
• H.R. 5260, Pay Our Border Patrol and Customs Agents Act, which would authorize pay for U.S. Border Patrol and officers of the Office of Field Operations who are required to work during a government shutdown.
• H.R. 1973, No Pay for Congress During Default or Shutdown Act, which would mandate that if Congress fails to fund the government, lawmakers' salaries will be immediately and automatically withheld.

"Our constituents' daily lives cannot stop when the government shuts down, continued Rep. Bresnahan. "When the government shuts down, hundreds of thousands of members of the military and federal law enforcement continue to serve our country, with no guarantee of receiving a paycheck at the end of the day. These bills guarantee they receive their well-deserved paychecks, and that Members of Congress are not paid until we do our jobs. I will continue to fight every day for our military, law enforcement, and all who put their lives on the line for our freedoms."

The letter from Rep. Bresnahan is pasted below and can be viewed in full here.

Dear Ms. Szpindor,

When I came to Congress in January, I made a commitment to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to break through Washington's dysfunction and focus on making life better for the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania. This is why I am deeply disappointed Congress is once again approaching the brink of a potential government shutdown at the end of September.

This means the over 10,000 federal employees in Pennsylvania's Eighth District, who work at critical facilities such as the Tobyhanna Army Depot, Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center, United States Penitentiary Canaan, and more, will face uncertainty about the paychecks they rely on to put food on their family's table. Additionally, many of the benefits our neighbors rely on, such as Social Security checks, housing and food assistance, and student loan assistance are also in jeopardy during a government shutdown.

In solidarity with my constituents, who expect Congress to do the most basic part of our job by keeping the government open, I will refuse to accept any of my paychecks during a government shutdown, and I ask you withhold any of my pay while the federal government remains shuttered.

I was proud to vote for a short-term funding bill earlier this month that gives Congress more time to pass next year's budget; however, I fully intend to work with my colleagues toward getting a funding bill across the finish line.

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