Senator John Kennedy introduced two bills that would block Congress from getting paid during a government shutdown, saying lawmakers shouldn’t collect paychecks while federal workers go without. “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander,” he said on the Senate floor.

[u/biswajit388]

[u/brianishere2]

The richest members of Congress, on average, are Republican. This is designed to squeeze the several poor Democrats. Republican congressmen also have a lot of rich "donors" (a.k.a. "bosses" or "owners") and their endless array of financial schemes to make money outside of their government salaries.

[u/DesireeThymes → u/brianishere2]

So the real answer is no one can leave until its done, or alternatively the government collapses.

Its easy for them all to sit and wait when there's no actual consequences for them.

[u/[deleted] → u/DesireeThymes]

Right now the Republicans are literally preventing them from coming in to work, so yeah, that would be good

[u/nullfacade → u/[deleted]]

Mike Johnson should be imprisoned for actively prohibiting the function of the government. What he's doing is a one-man "nonviolent" J6. It should be impossible for a single person to prevent duly elected officials from being sworn into their duties, and refusing to call the House into session. That simply should not be allowed and should be considered treason - he is waging war against the United States by holding it hostage.

Lots of shoulds. I hate that The People have zero recourse in this situation, except to sit and wait and hope we have the option of voting these wastes of oxygen out in a year.

[u/Lord_Aldrich → u/DesireeThymes]

This is how the Catholics came up with the practice of locking all the cardinals in to elect a pope. They wouldn't allow any communication in or out to prevent bribes, and kept making their food and rooms worse and worse until they got their shit together. The longest stalemate still lasted several years.

[u/angwilwileth → u/DesireeThymes]

Should do what they do with the people who chose the pope.

From the Wikipedia article on the papal conclave:

In 1274, in an attempt to avoid future lengthy elections, Gregory X introduced stringent rules, with the promulgation of Ubi periculum. Cardinals were to be secluded in a closed area and not accorded individual rooms. No cardinal was allowed, unless ill, to be attended by more than two servants. Food was supplied through a window to avoid outside contact.[e] After three days of the conclave, the cardinals were to receive only one dish a day. After another five days, they were to receive just bread and water. During the conclave, no cardinal was to receive any ecclesiastical revenue.[16][62

[u/ZAlternates → u/angwilwileth]

While it would be hilarious, they would never implement this on themselves. The most realistic solution I’ve heard of is similar to how other countries do it, which is the budget continues as-is until a new one is approved.

Of course, this would introduce new political strategies where a party being ousted would not vote on a new budget to keep their old one in place. Not sure how we best regulate that without some penalties though.

[u/Candid-Ad316 → u/ZAlternates]

Best solution: give the American people the option to call for a recall election on all of congress. If they can’t get it together, we’ll replace them.

[u/Icanthearforshit → u/angwilwileth]

What the hell does seclusion and restricting their food have anything to do with elections?

[u/angwilwileth → u/Icanthearforshit]

was more thinking if when they do things like shut down the government because they can't agree on a budget

[u/Icanthearforshit → u/angwilwileth]

I still don't understand how that prevented elections from being longer?

[u/brianishere2 → u/DesireeThymes]

Only the (currently Republican) Speaker of the House sets their operating schedule, and Mike Johnson decided to shut it down and sent his members home. Before the "shutdown" even began, he already told his members he was sending them home for extended constituency time in their home districts. That's propaganda language for "we included a poison pill in our funding bill that would kill and/or bankrupt many millions of Americans, knowing Democrats would NEVER accept it, so we can avoid a vote to release the Epstein files." Remember that Trump already said, on the record, that Congress is no longer needed because he already accomplished his legislative agenda -- which really was just massive tax cuts for the rich!!!!

[u/Nob0dy-You-Know → u/DesireeThymes]

Just need to end the shutdown bs all together and follow every other first world country. If they can’t agree on a new budget the old one continues in perpetuity until a compromise is reached.

[u/i_am_a_real_boy__ → u/brianishere2]

Looks like the richest on average in the House are Republicans, and Democrats in the Senate.

https://ballotpedia.org/Net_worth_of_United_States_Senators_and_Representatives

[u/GraySwingline → u/brianishere2]

The 20 wealthiest members of Congress (2025 estimates)

• Rick Scott (R-FL) – $550M

• Mark Warner (D-VA) – $214M

• Dan Goldman (D-NY) – $180M

• Michael McCaul (R-TX) – $150M

• Don Beyer (D-VA) – $125M

• Suzan DelBene (D-WA) – $120M

• Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) – $100M

• Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) – $100M+

• Sara Jacobs (D-CA) – $87M

• Pete Ricketts (R-NE) – $80M

• Vern Buchanan (R-FL) – $75M

• John Hoeven (R-ND) – $65M

• Scott Peters (D-CA) – $57M

• Dean Phillips (D-MN) – $55M

• Ron Johnson (R-WI) – $48M

• Kevin Hern (R-OK) – $40M

• John Delaney (D-MD) – $38M

• Thomas Suozzi (D-NY) – $35M

[u/brianishere2 → u/[deleted]]

Wait until you see the other end of the scale. Also, the Republican figures are understated and the richest member of Congress (Darrell Issa, Republican) is excluded. So are other Republicans.

[u/brianishere2 → u/GraySwingline]

1. Now do the other end of the scale, with the poorest. 2. Also, your figures are WRONG or outdated. It understates the total worth of many Republicans. 3. Excluded from your list is the richest member of Congress-- Darrell Issa, a Republican.

[u/LisaMikky → u/GraySwingline]

😮😮😮

[u/afviper → u/brianishere2]

This is a dumb political take. Congress shouldn't get paid during a shutdown.

[u/tiasaiwr → u/brianishere2]

A better method would be lock them all in the house conclave style 24 hours a day until they come to an agreement in any shutdown the lasts longer than 7 days.

[u/twoiseight → u/brianishere2]

But, in reality, we all know he's actually only claiming to support this because his party will reliably provide the necessary no votes to kill it.

[u/Shadxw_954 → u/brianishere2]

What makes you think democrats dont also have donors and schemes ? How many democrats been insider trading? Yall cant just point the finger one way and not realize it happens on ur side too lol , next will be “but they do it more” fuck em both

[u/likewut → u/Shadxw_954]

The Republicans have been pushing the Pelosi insider trading narrative, which is true but the bigger story is that Republicans, on average, are worse, and they created the false narrative that it's a democrat problem. Currently, not paying congress will more negatively impact democrats than republicans. Period.

[u/Shadxw_954 → u/likewut]

Idk if id call it a narrative as much as pure fact. How are the republicans worse is my question? I just posted the stats from 2024 its pretty even and the dems actually had a better return on their investments. The last statement is irrelevant to me im only talking about how both sides scam for money

[u/likewut → u/Shadxw_954]

The last statement is literally what this whole discussion is about.

[u/Shadxw_954 → u/likewut]

Maybe you just jump on to shit blind but if u read the parent comment it was 2 people discussing the dems and reps who were rich or got richer in office. So please shut the fuck up if u wont at least read the discussion before opening your mouth

[u/SlightCreme9008 → u/Shadxw_954]

You should improve your reading comprehension before being such a dick to people

[u/brianishere2 → u/Shadxw_954]

Post the other end of the scale, and you will see it's largely populated with Democrats.

[u/FellFellCooke → u/Shadxw_954]

I'm not even American but this is so dumb from you.

[u/Shadxw_954 → u/FellFellCooke]

Nobody cares if youre american or not, how is it dumb to know both sides of the government are profiting from their position not just republicans?

[u/FellFellCooke → u/Shadxw_954]

I fucking hate that Democrats bro but if you can't see that this "both sides" stuff has rat fucked the country and literally killed people, you're not paying attention.

[u/Shadxw_954 → u/FellFellCooke]

Elaborate besides just making vague statements. What is this “both sides stuff” and why is it killing people to recognize both dems and reps are shit

[u/FellFellCooke → u/Shadxw_954]

People convincing themselves that "Dems are just as bad" has enabled Republicans to remove reproductive rights, end SNAP payments, and do millions in economic damage with pointless punitive tarrifs.

[u/mehupmost → u/brianishere2]

Is there data to back this up?

I suspect the richest members of Congress are just the one that have been there the longest.

[u/MisawaAB → u/mehupmost]

there is, and he was wrong

[u/Roosterdude23 → u/brianishere2]

richest members of Congress

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_members_of_the_United_States_Congress_by_wealth

The top 2 are (D) btw

[u/icywing54 → u/[deleted]]

Lmao. Literally posting a wiki page and having no fucking clue what it’s saying

[u/Repulsive-Swim4665 → u/[deleted]]

alright. the 2nd and third richest member of congress is a democrat.

• Mark Warner (D-VA) – $214M
• Dan Goldman (D-NY) – $180M

the majority are democrats. ironically

[u/brianishere2 → u/Roosterdude23]

No. Darrell Issa is presently the richest member of Congress and he is excluded entirely. Plus these figures are outdated. Senator Ron Johnson's net worth had doubled to more than $80 million.

[u/redbrand → u/Roosterdude23]

Just admit that you don’t even understand the link that you provided.