Rep. Bresnahan to refuse pay during potential government shutdown

WILKES-BARRE — U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan Jr. sent a letter on Tuesday to Catherine Szpindor, the chief administrative officer of the U.S. House, asking his pay be withheld should the government shut down on Oct. 1.

“I am deeply disappointed Congress is once again approaching the brink of a potential government shutdown,” wrote Rep. Bresnahan, R-Dallas Township. “In solidarity with my constituents, who expect Congress to do the most basic part of our job by keeping the government open, I will refuse to accept any of my paychecks during a government shutdown, and I ask you withhold any of my pay while the federal government remains shuttered.”

Rep. Bresnahan voted for H.R. 5371 — Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — which would extend government funding through Nov. 21, 2025. This continuing resolution (CR) currently sits with the U.S. Senate.

“I was proud to vote for a CR to keep the government open while work continues on the full appropriations process,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “But, until we cross the finish line, the buck stops here — literally.”

Rep. Bresnahan is a co-sponsor of several pieces of legislation addressing pay during a government shutdown, specifically:

• H.R. 5401, Pay Our Troops Act, which would ensure members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the Coast Guard, continue receiving pay and benefits in the event of a government shutdown. Rep. Bresnahan is an original cosponsor of this legislation.

• H.R. 5260, Pay Our Border Patrol and Customs Agents Act, which would authorize pay for U.S. Border Patrol and officers of the Office of Field Operations who are required to work during a government shutdown.

• H.R. 1973, No Pay for Congress During Default or Shutdown Act, which would mandate that if Congress fails to fund the government, lawmakers’ salaries will be immediately and automatically withheld.

“Our constituents’ daily lives cannot stop when the government shuts down,” continued Rep. Bresnahan. “When the government shuts down, hundreds of thousands of members of the military and federal law enforcement continue to serve our country, with no guarantee of receiving a paycheck at the end of the day. These bills guarantee they receive their well-deserved paychecks, and that Members of Congress are not paid until we do our jobs. I will continue to fight every day for our military, law enforcement, and all who put their lives on the line for our freedoms.”