Thune blesses push to block senator pay during government shutdowns

Published May 12, 2026 1:26pm ET | Updated May 12, 2026 3:27pm ET



Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) put his stamp of approval on legislation Tuesday that would block senators from receiving paychecks during a government shutdown.

Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) has pressed leadership to call a vote on the legislation during the last two government shutdowns, and Thune said it came up again as the Senate began preparing to pass an immigration enforcement bill that would fully reopen the Department of Homeland Security.

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