If senators vote to shut the government down, they should feel the consequences of that decision alongside the federal workers who are affected. John Kennedy’s resolution would put some skin in the game by holding lawmakers’ pay until the government reopens and the shutdown is over.

For too long, federal employees have faced uncertainty during shutdowns while members of Congress continue receiving their salaries. Air traffic controllers, border agents, park rangers, and other federal workers can be left waiting while essential services continue operating under difficult circumstances. Supporters of the proposal argue that lawmakers should not be insulated from the consequences of the political standoffs they help create.

The proposal would not necessarily prevent future shutdowns or eliminate the disagreements that lead to them. It also still faces the legislative process, including consideration in the House. But supporters see it as a step toward making the consequences of a shutdown more evenly shared between elected officials and the federal workforce.

The broader argument is about accountability and shared sacrifice. When government operations are disrupted, the people making the decisions are not the only ones affected—but they are among those with the power to resolve the dispute. Requiring lawmakers to wait for their pay until the government reopens would make that financial consequence more closely connected to the shutdown itself.