1. United States
2. S.C.
3. Letter

I appreciate you reaching out regarding your proposed constitutional amendment to withhold congressional salaries during government shutdowns. While the concept has surface appeal, I must express serious reservations about both its practical merit and the timing of its introduction. The notion that financial pressure on legislators would expedite shutdown resolutions rests on a flawed premise. The wealthiest members of Congress, who could weather salary suspensions indefinitely, would gain disproportionate negotiating power over colleagues for whom congressional pay represents their primary income. This creates perverse incentives that favor obstinacy among those least affected by the financial consequences. Research on legislative behavior during fiscal impasses suggests that institutional dysfunction stems from structural issues far deeper than personal financial stakes (see McCarty, Poole, and Rosenthal’s work on polarized politics and its effects on governance). More troubling is the appearance of this proposal coinciding with your upcoming electoral cycle. Constituents are rightfully skeptical of legislative theater that generates headlines without addressing root causes. Constitutional amendments face extraordinary ratification hurdles, as you acknowledge, meaning this proposal’s practical impact approaches zero while its symbolic value peaks precisely when you need favorable press coverage. If you genuinely wish to demonstrate solidarity with federal workers and contractors currently missing paychecks, I urge you to take immediate, concrete action within your control. Donate your salary earned during this shutdown period to food banks serving South Carolina’s most vulnerable residents who are suffering the shutdown’s cascading economic effects. Such a gesture costs you nothing politically while providing tangible relief to those facing genuine hardship. Organizations like Harvest Hope Food Bank are overwhelmed meeting increased demand from families suddenly without income. The amendment’s proposal to redirect withheld congressional salaries toward debt reduction, while superficially responsible, amounts to fiscal tokenism. Congressional salaries total roughly $94 million annually across 535 members. Against a $38 trillion debt, this represents approximately 0.0002% of the problem. Serious debt reduction requires confronting the structural drivers: entitlement reform, defense spending rationalization, and revenue adequacy. Symbolic gestures distract from these harder conversations. I would prefer to see your energy directed toward genuine institutional reforms that address governmental dysfunction. Consider advocating for automatic continuing resolutions that prevent shutdowns entirely, eliminating them as leverage tools. Support proposals that penalize all parties to budget negotiations equally rather than creating new asymmetries. Champion transparency measures that force public accountability for specific obstruction rather than collective blame. Your constituents deserve representatives who pursue substantive solutions over performative politics. I hope you will reconsider your approach. Sincerely,