The Senate on Thursday unanimously approved a resolution sponsored by Senator John Kennedy (R-Louisiana) to suspend senators’ pay during future government shutdowns, a new rule that could give lawmakers in the upper chamber a powerful incentive not to block funding bills ahead of key deadlines. The Senate adopted the resolution by voice vote. It will go into effect after the November midterm election so it could apply to a potential end-of-year government shutdown, but not if one occurs ahead of the September 30 end of the fiscal year. The measure directs the secretary of the Senate to withhold all salary payments to senators if a government shutdown occurs. A senator would not lose his or her salary as the money would be put in an escrow account. But the money would not be available to lawmakers while the government is shut down.
Later this afternoon, the Senate will take up a Motion to invoke cloture on the en bloc consideration of 49 nominations on the Executive Calendar pursuant to the provisions of S.Res.690.
The House will Complete Consideration of H. Con. Res. 75 – Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Republican divisions over the Iran war deepened on Wednesday as three GOP senators voted with Democrats to curtail the conflict, signaling greater headwinds for President Donald Trump as he seeks to stem economic impacts that have damaged the party’s political standing. While the Democratic-led measure failed, it was the closest a war powers vote came to advancing in the Senate in the seven attempts since the war began as GOP concerns slowly grow over the path forward. The 49-50 vote was also the first since the Trump administration blew past a legal deadline to wind down the war effort, which several Republicans have signaled would be a turning point for their support. It comes as the war grows increasingly unpopular with the American public and as gas prices skyrocket. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) joined Senators Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) in supporting the resolution. Paul has supported all seven attempts to rein in President Trump, while Collins broke ranks for the first time last month, just ahead of the 60-day benchmark. Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania again broke with his party to oppose the measure.
The House will also consider H.R. 5625 – Cashless Bail Reporting Act, H.R. 6260 – Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act and H.R. 8365 – Monitor Accountability Act.
Adam S. Olsen, Washington, D.C.
