Congressman Ryan Zinke announced his co-sponsorship of a constitutional amendment proposed by South Carolina Congressman Ralph Norman that would prohibit Members of Congress from receiving pay during government shutdowns, with no back pay.
Under current law, Members of Congress continue to receive salaries during a shutdown due to Article I, Section 6 of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees compensation for Senators and Representatives. The proposed amendment would change that by tying congressional pay to the government being fully funded. It defines a shutdown as any lapse in appropriations for federal agencies or departments caused by a failure to enact a regular appropriations bill or continuing resolution.
Zinke, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, emphasized that the measure aligns incentives for Congress to complete its budgetary responsibilities. He noted that he has actively worked to advance all 12 annual appropriations bills through committee and has supported measures to prevent shutdowns, including clean continuing resolutions.
“Congress has relied on continuing resolutions at best and shutdowns at worst,” Zinke said. “Simply put: If Congress fails to do its job, Members shouldn’t get a paycheck.”
The constitutional amendment proposal comes amid frustration over repeated government shutdowns that disrupt services and leave federal employees, military personnel, and other public servants without pay. By co-sponsoring the amendment, Zinke joins efforts to hold lawmakers accountable and reinforce congressional responsibility for funding the government.