This resolution aims to reduce the annual rate of pay for Senators during periods of a Government shutdown , which is defined as a lapse in appropriations for one or more federal agencies or departments. The core mechanism involves deducting a day's worth of pay for each 24-hour period a shutdown is in effect. For days occurring after the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office in November 2026, the Secretary of the Senate will directly exclude these amounts from Senators' compensation. However, for the period between the resolution's adoption and the November 2026 election, a special rule applies. During a shutdown, the Secretary will withhold the equivalent pay and deposit it into an escrow account . These escrowed funds will be released to Senators on the pay reduction effective date, which is the date of the November 2026 election. This two-tiered approach ensures compliance with the 27th Amendment , which prohibits changes to congressional compensation from taking effect until an intervening election.