Democrats block Kennedy resolution to withhold senators’ pay during government shutdowns
Republican U.S. Senator John Kennedy is seeking to pass a resolution that says senators would not get paid during government shutdowns. Kennedy brought the resolution up on the Senate floor on Sunday as Department of Homeland Security employees are currently not getting paid. Kennedy says it’s about shared sacrifice.
“This is about sending a message to our colleagues at TSA and elsewhere in DHS, that we understand; that we’re trying to get government back open. But in the meantime, we’re going to try, in our small way, to share your experience,” Kennedy said.
The resolution needs unanimous consent from the Senate. But Democratic Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz objected to Kennedy’s unanimous consent request and immediately left the chamber, which stunned Kennedy.
“I want to give my Senator, my colleague, Senator Schatz, more time, as he objected and left the chamber. Is he’s coming back? Is he ill?” Kennedy asked.
The Senate parliamentarian told Kennedy that Senator Schatz did not need to be recognized to block the resolution from passing through unanimous consent. Kennedy says he plans to bring this resolution up for a vote again and if a Senator objects, they should explain their reasoning.
“If a member of this body disagrees with what I’m doing, then, by God, they ought to come down here and stand up in front of the United States Senate and stand up in front of the American people,” Kennedy said.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) penned this op-ed in The Hill arguing that members of Congress should not get paid during government shutdowns. Kennedy calls on the Senate to vote on his resolution to prevent Senators from collecting their paychecks during future shutdowns.
Key excerpts of the op-ed are below:
“The fact that politicians can use other people’s paychecks as a political football without sacrificing their own salary makes most fair-minded Americans want to stick their heads in an oven. Most Americans believe what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. If federal workers aren’t getting paid, members of Congress shouldn’t get paid either.”
. . .
“I don’t judge my colleagues for objecting to this type of legislation. It’s tough missing a paycheck. But it was also tough for the American people to watch my colleagues vote 15 times in a row to keep the government closed.
“I am proud that my resolution received unanimous, bipartisan support in the Senate Rules Committee. I hope the full Senate will join us in ensuring that politicians aren’t the only ones getting paid during a government shutdown.”
The Little Boy Called the Maid Mom in Front of Everyone
A glamorous charity gala glittered beneath breathtaking crystal chandeliers.
Soft violin music floated through the magnificent ballroom.
Waiters carried silver trays filled with champagne.
Diamonds sparkled beneath golden lights.
The city’s wealthiest families laughed together.
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Everything appeared perfect.
Text on Screen:
“The little boy ignored everyone… and ran to the maid.”
Then—
a young boy in a tiny black tuxedo suddenly broke away from the crowd.
His polished shoes slid across the marble floor.
Guests turned in surprise.
Crystal glasses paused in midair.
A man in a tuxedo called out in shock.
“Noah!”
But the little boy didn’t stop.
Ignoring everyone—
he ran straight toward a quiet woman wearing a simple tan housekeeping uniform.
She had been quietly collecting empty glasses near the back of the ballroom.
The moment he reached her—
he threw his tiny arms around her waist.
“Mommy!”
The tray slipped from her trembling hands.
Silver spoons scattered across the marble floor.
Tears instantly filled her eyes.
She dropped to her knees.
Wrapped both arms around him.
And held him as though she would never let go again.
“I’m here, sweetheart…”
“I’m here.”
For one beautiful moment—
the entire ballroom stood still.
Then—
high heels echoed across the marble.
A glamorous woman in a black evening gown stormed toward them.
Her face burned with rage.
Without warning—
she yanked the little boy away.
Then—
SLAP!
The sound echoed through the silent ballroom.
The maid stumbled backward.
Fell to the floor.
Holding her burning cheek.
The little boy screamed.
“Mommy!”
The elegant woman shouted.
“Stay away from my son!”
Guests gasped.
Whispers spread through the ballroom.
“Why is he calling the maid ‘Mom’?”
“What’s happening?”
The wealthy woman dragged the struggling boy toward the exit.
He reached back with both hands.
Crying uncontrollably.
“Mommy!”
“Please don’t leave me!”
His heartbreaking cries silenced every conversation.
Standing only a few feet away—
his father remained frozen.
He looked at his sobbing son.
Then at the maid.
Then at his wife.
Suddenly—
a terrible realization crossed his face.
The child wasn’t confused.
He knew exactly who his mother was.
His voice trembled.
“Vivi…”
“What have you done?”
The woman froze.
Her confident expression disappeared.
“Richard…”
“Please…”
But it was too late.
An elderly woman slowly stood from the front table.
No one had noticed her before.
She was the retired head nurse from the hospital where Noah had been born.
Her voice was calm.
“It’s time.”
She reached into her handbag.
And placed an old hospital envelope on the table.
Inside—
birth records.
Footprints.
DNA paperwork.
And one signed confession.
Years earlier—
the maid had worked as a live-in nanny for the wealthy couple.
She had secretly given birth to Noah after a brief relationship with Richard before his marriage.
When complications left the newborn fighting for his life—
Vivi convinced everyone she had delivered the child herself.
The frightened young mother—
poor, alone, and powerless—
had been told her baby had died.
But she never stopped searching.
Desperate to stay close—
she accepted a job as a maid in the very house where her son was being raised.
Every birthday…
Every bedtime…
Every scraped knee…
She loved him quietly.
Never allowed to tell him the truth.
Until one day—
Noah discovered an old photograph hidden inside her locker.
A picture of her holding him only hours after he was born.
On the back—
written in faded ink—
were the words:
“My Noah… I’ll love you forever.”
From that day forward—
he secretly called her “Mommy.”
Richard’s knees gave way.
He looked at the woman he had ignored for years.
Tears streamed down his face.
“You spent your whole life…”
“…raising our son from the shadows.”
The maid quietly nodded.
“I didn’t want revenge.”
“I just wanted him to know…”
“…he was always loved.”
The little boy broke free once more.
He ran back across the ballroom.
Straight into her arms.
This time—
no one stopped him.
The guests stood in silence.
Many wiped away tears.
Even the musicians lowered their instruments.
Richard walked toward them.
He gently knelt beside his son.
Then looked into the maid’s tear-filled eyes.
“No more lies.”
“From today…”
“…our son will never have to choose between his parents again.”
The ballroom erupted into quiet applause.
Not for wealth.
Not for status.
But for the truth.
Because nothing—
not money…
not power…
not years of deception—
could break the bond between a child…
and the mother who gave him life.
“A mother’s love may be hidden… but a child’s heart always knows where home is.”
