Overview
- The federal government shut down at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday after President Donald Trump and Congress failed to agree on funding, with the CBO estimating roughly 750,000 federal employees would be furloughed.
- Members of Congress and the president continue to be paid under Article I, Section 6 and the 27th Amendment, which bar immediate changes to congressional compensation during a term.
- All four of Iowa’s U.S. House members asked to have their pay withheld, and Wisconsin Republicans Glenn Grothman and Tony Wied submitted formal letters to the House Chief Administrative Officer making the same request.
- Sen. Lindsey Graham said he will donate his daily pay during the shutdown to Upstate Warrior Solution, and other Republicans including Nancy Mace, Kat Cammack, Debra Fischer and several South Carolina colleagues announced withholding or donation plans.
- Sen. Rick Scott said he is proposing legislation to stop congressional pay during shutdowns, while reactions among Democrats varied, with Rep. Hakeem Jeffries declining to commit and Sen. Andy Kim requesting his pay be paused.