Sen. Lindsey Graham pledges to donate congressional pay during shutdown

GREENVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) — As millions of federal workers are put on furlough or required to work without pay during a government shutdown, congressional members will still receive their salaries.

Article I, Section 6 of the U.S. Constitution stipulates that “The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States,” meaning that members of Congress must get paid even if other parts of the government are not funded.

But one South Carolina lawmaker, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R), said Wednesday that he would refuse his paycheck as long as the shutdown lasts and donate that money to a local nonprofit.

“For every day that the federal government is shut down, Senator Graham will donate his paycheck to Upstate Warrior Solution in Greenville,” said Taylor Reidy, the senator’s communications director.

Founded in 2013, Upstate Warrior Solution is an Upstate-based organization that connects active duty military members, reservists, National Guard, and their families with resources for housing, employment, healthcare, education, and other support services.

Most congressional members are paid an annual salary of $174,000, with those in leadership roles receiving higher salaries. That equals out to a donation of about $477 per day, until the shutdown is over.

Graham is not alone in suggesting that lawmakers should give up their pay until the government reopens.

U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) said Tuesday that he has reintroduced an amendment to suspend pay for congressional members during shutdowns and not allow for back pay.

“During shutdowns, federal workers are told to ‘do more with less,'” Norman wrote on X. “Meanwhile, Congress still cashes paychecks. That’s wrong.”

U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) requested that her pay be withheld in an Oct. 1 letter to the House’s Chief Administrative Officer, Catherine Szpindor.

“If our servicemembers are forced to work without pay, then Congress has no business cashing checks either,” Mace wrote on X, labeling it as the “Schumer Shutdown,” in reference to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) similarly asked Szpindor to withhold his pay until a funding agreement is reached.

“The shutdown is counterproductive to realistic efforts to limit government for fiscal responsibility,” he wrote on X. “The shutdown costs as much as an unplanned $1.5 billion per day. In solidarity with those Americans who feel the financial hardships of this ill-advised vote, I will not accept my own government salary until this government shutdown is over.”

A spokesperson for U.S. Rep. Sherri Biggs (R-S.C.) said the congresswoman is also requesting that her pay be suspended.

“Congresswoman Biggs firmly believes that Members of Congress cannot demand fiscal discipline from constituents while living by a different set of rules for themselves, and that it is unacceptable for Congress to continue to be compensated while those who protect our nation face fiscal uncertainty,” a statement shared with News 2 read.

News 2 has reached out to the offices of South Carolina’s other senator and House members to learn how they plan to handle their pay amid the shutdown.

Congressional offices remain open during shutdowns to serve constituents, but delays or disruptions in receiving services are possible.