Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., leaves the U.S. Capitol after the last votes of the week on Thursday, September 4, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
"Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification," the joint resolution reads.
"A Representative or Senator may not receive compensation with respect to any period during which a Government shutdown is in effect. For purposes of this article, a Government shutdown shall be considered to be in effect if there is a lapse in appropriations for any Federal agency or department as a result of a failure to enact a regular appropriations bill or continuing resolution," the text reads, adding that, "Congress shall have the power to enforce this article through appropriate legislation."
GOVERNMENT SHUTS DOWN AFTER CONGRESS DEADLOCKS ON SPENDING DEAL
The nation now faces a partial government shutdown on Wednesday as Republicans and Democrats have been blaming each other in recent days while failing to strike an agreement to avert a funding lapse by the deadline.
"Members of Congress have a constitutional duty to fund the government’s essential functions," Norman said, according to a press release. "If Congress fails to meet that obligation, we should not expect taxpayers to continue paying us for inaction. No one else in America would get paid for failing to fulfill their duties—Congress should face the same principle."
WHITE HOUSE DECLARES IMMINENT GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AFTER SENATE FAILS TO PASS FUNDING BILL
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Norman is running for South Carolina governor.
Alex Nitzberg is a writer for Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/republicans-push-constitutional-amendment-dock-lawmakers-pay-during-government-shutdowns