Kean to Forgo Congressional Salary During Potential Government Shutdown

(September 29, 2025) WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) formally requested that U.S. House Chief Administrative Officer Catherine Szpindor withhold his congressional salary in the event a government shutdown begins on October 1. In his request, Kean underscored that Members of Congress should not be paid while federal workers and U.S. servicemembers go without paychecks. The full letter to the Chief Administrative Officer can be found HERE.

Following submission of the letter, Congressman Kean issued the following statement:

“I do not support a government shutdown. DC Democrats are playing political games and pushing our nation toward a shutdown that would be harmful to the American people. The House has already passed a bipartisan funding bill based on the very spending framework that Democrats themselves supported in the past. It is unacceptable that vital government services are being threatened and that federal workers may be furloughed. I urge New Jersey’s two Senators to vote for this common-ground funding bill. If there is a shutdown, I will forgo my salary during that time, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do the same.”

On September 19, 2025, Congressman Kean voted for H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026, which extends government funding through November 21, 2025. This legislation keeps the government open and serving the American people. The bill awaits action in the U.S. Senate.

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