Members of Congress Should Not Be Paid During Government Shutdowns. Do You Agree

As many of you are aware, the federal government officially entered a shutdown yesterday. While the House of Representatives passed a funding extension through November 21, 2025, the measure still requires 60 votes in the U.S. Senate before heading to the President's desk.

Unfortunately, only two Democrats and one Independent currently support this effort, meaning the government will remain shut down until five more Democrats vote in favor of the bill.

In the meantime, Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) has requested that his pay be withheld for the duration of the shutdown. He believes it is inappropriate to receive a salary while many Americans are furloughed or facing delayed paychecks.

Furthermore, Rep. Crane has cosponsored a constitutional amendment introduced by Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), which would prohibit lawmakers from receiving pay during government shutdowns. It would also preclude Members of Congress from receiving any back pay afterward.

Although many federal agencies will face disruptions during this period, Rep. Crane's offices will remain fully operational. If you are in need of assistance with casework, please call the Prescott district office at (928) 286-5338 or click here. We're here to help and answer any questions you may have.

If you did not receive our shutdown guidance release, please click here for a full overview of affected agencies, key resources, and additional information.