S.Res. 526 · Where this bill is now
Adopted
Senate: Adopted May 14, 2026, by voice vote
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryStops Senate pay during government shutdowns
This resolution would prevent Senators from receiving their paychecks while the federal government is shut down, meaning when funding lapses for one or more federal agencies or departments. Once the shutdown ends, Senators would get paid as soon as possible. The rule would start applying after the general election in November 2026.
How it affects you
This doesn't directly affect most people's daily lives. If you're a U.S. Senator, you would stop earning your salary during any government shutdown, though you'd receive back pay once funding is restored. For the public, it's meant as an incentive for Senators to resolve budget disagreements that cause shutdowns to happen in the first place.
Read the official summary (Reported to Senate, Dec 17, 2025)
This resolution withholds compensation from Senators during any federal government shutdown (i.e., lapse in appropriations for one or more federal agencies or departments). Senators are to be paid as soon as practicable after the date on which the government shutdown ends.
The restriction applies beginning on the day after the regularly scheduled general election for federal office held in November 2026. (As background, the U.S. Constitution provides that legislation varying the level of compensation paid to members of Congress may not take effect until an intervening election has occurred.)
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS.Res. 526
RESOLUTION
A resolution withholding the pay of Senators if a Government shutdown occurs.
Sponsor: Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) · Introduced Dec 3, 2025 · Congress · 3 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action May 14, 2026: “Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S2295)”
How Congress voted
Official roll callsSenate · On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed · May 13, 2026
Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Agreed to 99–0
| Party | Yes | No | Didn’t vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 45 | 0 | 0 |
| Independents | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Republicans | 52 | 0 | 1 |
Source: senate.gov · roll call 119
Congress votes on whole bills and amendments, not on single sections.
Sections
The wording of this bill hasn’t changed across its 3 official versions.