US senator introduces constitutional amendment to withhold lawmakers’ pay during shutdowns

WASHINGTON

US Sen. Lindsey Graham said Tuesday that he is introducing a constitutional amendment that would prevent members of Congress from collecting their paychecks during any period when the government is closed.

In a message to supporters titled “Fellow Patriot,” Graham criticized both the Republican and Democratic parties for what he called “petty political games” that have repeatedly brought the federal government to a halt. He argued that lawmakers should share in the consequences of a shutdown, especially when federal workers and service members face uncertainty.

Under the US Constitution, members of Congress are required to be paid even during a government shutdown. Graham’s proposed amendment would change that by prohibiting congressional salaries from being disbursed for the duration of any shutdown. Instead, those funds would be returned to the US Treasury to help reduce the national debt.

"In that regard, I have introduced a constitutional amendment that, if ratified, would bar Members of Congress from receiving a paycheck for the duration of a shutdown.

"Under this amendment, congressional salaries would be sent back to the U.S. Treasury to make payments on our debt. This is the most constitutionally sound way to deal with this problem," he added.

The Senate on Tuesday rejected a House-passed Republican funding bill for the 14th time to end the government shutdown, matching the longest in US history at 35 days.