Kennedy secures veterans’ Second Amendment rights in deal to reopen government, renews call to stop paying Congress during shutdowns

WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) announced that the agreement to reopen the federal government includes his measure protecting veterans' Second Amendment rights. The deal involves three appropriation packages and funds other government agencies at previously agreed-upon levels through January 30, 2026.

The U.S. Senate passed the agreement by a 60-40 vote on Monday, the U.S. House of Representatives approved it on Wednesday afternoon, and President Donald Trump signed it late Wednesday. Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), blocked 14 earlier attempts to fund the government.

"I'm thrilled my colleagues finally came to their senses, got on the side of common sense and voted to end the national embarrassment that was the longest government shutdown in our nation's history. I'm especially proud that our agreement extends my provision to protect veterans from losing their Second Amendment rights just because they need help managing their VA benefits. Still, we must do more to ensure multiple-vehicle pileups like this shutdown never happen again. That includes passing my bills to stop paying lawmakers when they fail to keep the government open and resuming our regular order appropriations process. Congress ought to work for the American people, not use them as 'leverage,'" said Kennedy.

In a Monday interview with Fox News' Will Cain, Kennedy reaffirmed his push to pass his No Shutdown Paychecks to Politicians Act and Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act. These bills, in addition to Sen. Ron Johnson's (R-Wis.) Shutdown Fairness Act, would have ensured that federal workers received pay during shutdowns rather than Members of Congress, but were blocked by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Senate Democrats.

In reopening the government, Kennedy also secured a major win for veterans' Second Amendment rights. The newly passed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Veterans and Military Construction Appropriations bill extends a provision Kennedy first passed in 2024, preventing veterans from losing their right to bear arms when they receive help managing their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits.

Before Kennedy's measure became law in 2024, the VA sent veterans' names to the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) whenever a fiduciary was appointed to help them manage their VA benefits. Placement on the NICS blocks veterans from purchasing or owning firearms.

The extension of Kennedy's legislation ensures that unelected VA bureaucrats cannot deprive a veteran of their Second Amendment rights without a court ruling.

Background:

• In the 116th Congress, Kennedy introduced the Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act.

• In the 118th Congress, Kennedy and Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) reintroduced the Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act with six co-sponsors.

• In October 2023, the Senate passed an amendment based on the Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act. The same language was passed into law as part of a larger package in March 2024.

Full text of the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Extensions Act, 2026 is available here.

Full text of Kennedy's No Shutdown Paychecks to Politicians Act is available here.

Full text of Kennedy's Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act is available here.

Read more about Kennedy's bills to withhold pay for Members of Congress in Fox News Digital here.

Watch Kennedy's attempts to unanimously pass his and Johnson's shutdown bills here.

Watch Kennedy's remarks on the Senate floor from Nov. 5, 2025, regarding shutdown pay here.