Senators approve measure to withhold their pay during future government shutdowns

The U.S. Senate has unanimously approved a measure that would suspend senators’ pay during any future government shutdowns, aligning themselves with federal workers who miss paychecks when the government closes.

Read more Chance The Rapper to bring ‘The Coloring Book 10 Tour’ to Phoenix

The decision passed by unanimous consent, meaning no vote was needed. It follows the longest government shutdown on record, during which federal workers went unpaid for months while U.S. lawmakers continued to receive their salaries amid a slow-moving effort to reopen the government — drawing sharp public criticism.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | TSA rep warns ‘people leaving the agency is accelerating’ amid shutdown

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle said the measure signals that Republicans and Democrats can work together to pass meaningful legislation.

Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., said:

“We’ve got to get past these shutdown. … Anything along these lines that help us not only not have shutdowns, but get back to the regular, appropriating process — that’s what works best for the people because that’s how we look at every individual appropriation bill. We determine what’s meritorious, what’s not, you run them across the floor so everybody gets a shot at them and you can really determine what should be funded and what shouldn’t. And that also will help us reduce spending and do a better job on the debt and the deficit.”

Read more US household debt ticks up to new all-time high as inflation continues to rise

RELATED STORY | Sen. Kelly introduces bill to protect federal workers’ credit during shutdowns

The measure’s policy impact remains to be seen. A test could come as soon as Oct. 1, when the current tranche of government funding is set to expire.

For now, the measure has also only been adopted by the Senate. It remains unclear whether the House of Representatives will adopt a similar measure to suspend pay during future shutdowns.

Read more Average US long-term mortgage rate eases to 6.36% in first drop after two straight weekly increases