House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries avoided [1] directly answering Thursday when asked whether he would withhold his congressional paycheck during the ongoing government shutdown.
Instead, he argued that the shutdown would not last long enough for him to have to make a decision.
Speaking at a press conference, Jeffries said members of Congress have the option to accept or forgo their salaries during a shutdown, while federal employees face missed paychecks without a choice.
When pressed about whether he personally would decline his pay, Jeffries dismissed the question.
“First of all, that question is not even a right one because we’re anticipating that this shutdown issue will be resolved well in advance of our next paycheck, which as you all know, members of Congress are paid on a monthly basis,” Jeffries said.
Members of the House of Representatives earn a base salary of $174,000 annually. Leaders in the chamber, including Jeffries, receive $193,400, while the Speaker of the House is paid $223,500.
Hakeem Jeffries SQUIRMS when asked if he will withhold receiving a paycheck during the government shutdown: pic.twitter.com/ZkPmpPiIZy [2]
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) October 1, 2025 [3]
As Jeffries deflected the question, several lawmakers across party lines announced their own decisions regarding pay during the shutdown.
Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona told reporters Wednesday that he would keep receiving his salary, citing family obligations.
“I’m not wealthy, and I have three kids. I would basically be missing, you know, mortgage payments, rent payments, child support,” Gallego said.
“So it’s not feasible, not gonna happen.”
Some lawmakers won’t withhold their paycheck during the shutdown.
“I’m not wealthy, and I have three kids. I would basically be missing … mortgage payments, rent payments, child support,” @SenRubenGallego [4], D-Ariz., told @NBCNews [5].
“So it’s not feasible, not gonna happen.” https://t.co/sGVgFHm4Hu [6]
— Scott Wong (@scottwongDC) October 1, 2025 [7]
Republican Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina, who is running for governor, publicly stated she would decline her paycheck.
“Leader’s don’t ask their employees to do something they themselves would NOT do,” Mace said in her announcement Wednesday.
If an E1 soldier making $27-28k basic pay isn’t getting paid, neither should Congress. I am foregoing my pay until Dems get it together, pass a clean CR and fund the government.
Leader’s lead. Leader’s don’t ask their employees to do something they themselves would NOT do.
— Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) October 1, 2025 [8]
Other House Republicans, including Representatives Chip Roy and Keith Self of Texas and Representative Kat Cammack of Florida, have formally requested that their pay be withheld until the shutdown concludes.
We will be voting shortly on the latest spending deal but before we do, I have submitted an official request asking for my paycheck to be withheld in the event of a government shutdown. If the troops don’t get paid, Members of Congress shouldn’t either. pic.twitter.com/9B2rbAGEVW [9]
— Kat Cammack (@Kat_Cammack) December 20, 2024 [10]
Democratic Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey also issued a statement confirming he had filed a request to pause his paychecks during the shutdown.
The shutdown began Wednesday at 12:01 a.m. after Congress failed to pass a funding agreement.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, approximately 750,000 federal workers — including congressional staff — are expected to be furloughed until lawmakers reach a deal.
The standoff over government funding continues as both chambers remain at odds over the terms of a stopgap spending measure.
Until an agreement is reached, federal employees across the country face uncertainty about their next paycheck while members of Congress continue to draw salaries unless they voluntarily choose to decline them.