Senators: No Pay for Congress, President in Shutdown

Two Democratic senators introduced a bill Thursday that would prevent members of Congress or the president from continuing to receive their paychecks in the event of a government shutdown.

The measure, backed by Sens. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and Bob Casey-D.Pa., also would ensure that Social Security benefits continue, military troops are paid and certain government services remain open in the event of a shutdown resulting from a deadlock in budget negotiations or a failure to increase the debt limit, The Hill reported.

"If the government is forced to shut down, members of Congress and the president should be treated the same way as all other federal employees," Boxer told reporters. "We should not be paid. And to take it one step further, we should not be paid retroactively once the government reopens."