Congressional staffers were notified this week that they will not receive their October 31 paychecks due to the ongoing government shutdown, now in its 29th day. The announcement follows repeated Senate Democrat rejections of Republican-led continuing resolutions to reopen the government.
In a memo sent Wednesday, House Chief Administrative Officer Catherine Szpindor confirmed that “paychecks will not be disbursed until after appropriations legislation is enacted.” The pay period covering October 1–31 was scheduled for direct deposit on Friday, October 31. However, without a funding agreement, those payments are on hold.
The shutdown is also disrupting Congress’s student loan repayment program. Szpindor warned staff that payments under the House Retention through Education Advancement Program (REAP) would not be processed. She urged staffers to contact lenders to make alternate arrangements, emphasizing the House does not assume responsibility for staff loans.
According to NOTUS reporter Reese Gorman, staffers, who are paid monthly, had already been informed their pay would be delayed. The paycheck freeze adds to growing pressure on Congress to resolve the funding standoff, as other government services also face disruption.
At the same time, funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is scheduled to run out at the end of the month, affecting an estimated 42 million Americans. While Vice President JD Vance said military pay will continue for now—thanks in part to a $130 million private donation from billionaire Trump ally Timothy Mellon—he acknowledged the administration is facing serious challenges, particularly with SNAP.
Despite the mounting consequences, Senate Democrats once again blocked a clean continuing resolution this week. The CR, which needs 60 votes to pass, failed for the 13th time after most Democrats refused to support it. Only Sens. John Fetterman (D-PA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Angus King (I-ME) crossed the aisle to vote in favor.
The refusal by Democrat leadership to pass temporary funding has now put Capitol Hill staffers, SNAP recipients, and other federal workers in the crosshairs of political brinkmanship.
