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Congressmen Subramanyam and Bera decline pay during government shutdown
The Reps. declined pay citing fairness to federal workers.
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Pranavi Sharma - Thu, 02, Oct 2025
- 02:25 EDT
- 13
Representatives Suhas Subramanyam of Virginia and Ami Bera of California. / Wikipedia
Indian-American Representatives Suhas Subramanyam of Virginia and Ami Bera of California announced on Oct. 1 that they would not accept their congressional salaries during the ongoing federal government shutdown, which began after midnight when lawmakers failed to reach a funding agreement.
The shutdown marks the 15th since 1981. It began after Congress deadlocked on funding, with Democrats pressing for health care policy changes that Republicans and President Trump rejected. The closure has resulted in hundreds of thousands of furloughs, while essential workers such as TSA agents and immigration officers continue working without pay.
Under Article I, Section 6 of the Constitution, members of Congress continue receiving their salaries during shutdowns, which are paid from a permanent appropriation. Efforts to change that system have been proposed repeatedly but have not become law.
ALSO READ: White House warns layoffs are imminent if shutdown drags on
Subramanyam, who represents Virginia’s 10th District with more than 36,000 federal workers and contractors, said he would forgo pay in solidarity with constituents affected by the shutdown. “Government shutdowns are devastating to Virginia families and small businesses,” he said in a press release. “While Republicans force this shutdown and federal workers and contractors go without pay, I will not accept a paycheck and will continue to stand up for the men and women who protect our communities.”
He added that the closure was avoidable. “This shutdown was completely avoidable, and I will continue to fight for Virginians hurt by Republicans' inability to pass a budget,” Subramanyam said. He also reiterated his support for legislation that would halt congressional salaries during shutdowns and expand benefits for affected workers and contractors.
I won’t be taking pay while the Republicans shut down the government. pic.twitter.com/u2FYuMYhYR
— Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) (@RepSuhas) October 1, 2025
Bera, who represents California’s 6th District, also asked for his pay to be withheld. In a letter to House Chief Administrative Officer Catherine Szpindor, Bera wrote, “I have been informed that Members of Congress will continue receiving their salary despite the current federal government shutdown. Members of Congress should be treated just like all other federal workers and servicemembers forced to go without a paycheck.”
“Please withhold my pay until an agreement to reopen the government is signed into law,” Bera added.
Bera also posted on X: “Today, I formally requested that my pay be withheld until the federal government reopens. While our troops and federal workers are forced to work without pay during a shutdown, Members of Congress still get paid. That’s not right.”
Today, I formally requested that my pay be withheld until the federal government reopens.
— Ami Bera, M.D. (@RepBera) October 2, 2025
While our troops and federal workers are forced to work without pay during a shutdown, Members of Congress still get paid. That’s not right. pic.twitter.com/I5cV4je67N
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