Whoopi Goldberg Calls for Congressional Salary Suspension Amid Government Shutdown

During a recent episode of "The View," co-host Whoopi Goldberg proposed that both Republicans and Democrats should suspend their salaries until the ongoing government shutdown is resolved. This suggestion arose during a discussion about a joint statement from major news organizations, including ABC News, CBS News, CNN, Fox News Media, and NBC News, which criticized new Pentagon press policies. Goldberg emphasized that lawmakers should not receive pay while their constituents suffer due to the shutdown, stating, “Until this affects you the way it’s affecting your constituents, y’all are not going to settle this.” Her proposal received applause from the studio audience and support from her co-hosts.

The government shutdown began on October 1, 2025, after Congress failed to pass necessary appropriations bills, primarily due to disagreements over health care spending and other policy issues. As a result, many federal employees are either furloughed or working without pay, while members of Congress continue to receive their salaries, a situation that has drawn public ire. The Constitution guarantees congressional pay, which has led to calls for reform, although no legislation to suspend congressional salaries during shutdowns has passed.

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In response to the shutdown, the Trump administration has taken measures to ensure military personnel are paid. Approximately 1.3 million active-duty service members and thousands of National Guard members were at risk of missing their paychecks due to the funding lapse. To address this, President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon to utilize $6.5 billion in unspent military research and development funds to cover paychecks for the October 15 pay period. House Speaker Mike Johnson described this as a “temporary fix,” warning that future payments could be jeopardized if the government remains closed.

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The administration's decision to reallocate funds without congressional approval has raised legal and ethical concerns. Critics argue that this could represent executive overreach, as the Constitution grants Congress the exclusive power to authorize government funding. The selective funding of military pay while other federal employees face furloughs has sparked debates about fairness and the implications of such actions on the legislative process.

Who gets paid during a government shutdown?

In response to Goldberg's proposal, a White House spokesperson attributed the shutdown to Democratic lawmakers, accusing them of "holding the American people hostage." This sentiment reflects the ongoing partisan tensions that have characterized the shutdown, with both sides blaming each other for the impasse.

As the shutdown continues, pressure mounts on lawmakers to reach a funding agreement. The potential for missed military paychecks on October 31 looms large, and discussions around the legality of the administration's funding maneuvers are likely to intensify. Goldberg's call for salary suspension highlights public frustration with congressional inaction and may serve as a rallying point for those advocating for accountability among elected officials during government crises.

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