Britt, Moore, and Strong Refuse Pay During Federal Government Shutdown
The move comes as hundreds of thousands of federal employees face furloughs or delayed paychecks under the Antideficiency Act.
As the federal government shutdown continues, three Alabama Republicans, U.S. Senator Katie Britt of Montgomery, Congressman Barry Moore of Enterprise, and Congressman Dale Strong of Huntsville, have formally requested that their salaries be withheld until Washington reaches an agreement to reopen the government.
Senator Britt submitted her request directly to Senate Financial Clerk Ted Ruckner, stating she would forgo her pay during the lapse in funding. “Since Democrats have decided to shut down the government, furloughing our federal workers and withholding pay from our troops, I have requested the Financial Clerk of the Senate to do the same with my pay,” Britt wrote. “I encourage my Democratic colleagues to do the same.”
Congressman Moore echoed that message, making his own public request for withheld pay. “Democrats are hurting the American people every day they keep this shutdown going,” Moore said. “Until an appropriations agreement is reached, I’m asking that my pay is withheld and I call on my Democrat colleagues to do the same.”
Representative Strong also joined in the pledge, saying House Republicans had already passed legislation to keep the government running.
“House Republicans passed a clean continuing resolution to keep the government open for the American people, but Democrats would rather hold our government hostage to try and enact their partisan priorities,” Strong said. “If Democrats insist on forcing a shutdown, then I call on each of them to join me in refusing their pay.”
The move comes as hundreds of thousands of federal employees face furloughs or delayed paychecks under the Antideficiency Act, which requires agencies to halt most operations until new funding is approved. Essential employees, including members of the military and federal law enforcement, must continue working without immediate compensation.
Members of Congress, however, are constitutionally guaranteed their pay under Article I, Section 6 of the U.S. Constitution, and since 1983 their salaries have been funded through a permanent appropriation. That means lawmakers continue to receive paychecks even during shutdowns unless they voluntarily request otherwise.
By making this request, Britt, Moore, and Strong join a growing list of lawmakers across the country taking symbolic steps to show solidarity with federal employees, contractors, and service members who are bearing the brunt of Washington’s stalemate.
