WE, the undersigned citizens from across the United States, call on YOU to end the practice of members of Congress receiving full pay (and backpay) during government shutdowns—while federal employees, military personnel, and their families go unpaid.

This disparity erodes public trust and accountability. The Constitution currently protects congressional pay (Article I, Section 6). However, a targeted constitutional amendment (the 28th Amendment) is the lasting solution that prohibits compensation for Representatives and Senators during any shutdown, with no retroactive backpay and no exceptions.

We invite all members of Congress—across party lines—to collaborate with us to align on a single, unified resolution to propose this constitutional amendment to the 50 states. Your leadership would be invaluable in building broad bipartisan consensus and momentum toward introduction, passage by two-thirds of both the House and Senate, and ratification.

To learn how you can take action today to support our mission, please visit:

shutdownpay.org/congress

As an immediate step, we also ask every member of Congress and candidate to sign our public pledge: to forgo pay during shutdowns or donate the equivalent to qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving your constituents.

This focused reform would promote empathy and fiscal responsibility, restoring faith that elected officials stand with the American people.

Thank you for your service and for considering this call from your constituents.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned Citizens and Taxpayers of the United States