Cruz asks Senate to hold his salary during DHS shutdown

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Hill

03/24/26 5:58 PM ET


Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) asked on Tuesday for his congressional salary to be withheld until the shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is over.

“Due to the Democrat’s Shutdown, I’ve asked the Financial Clerk of the Senate to hold my salary,” the Texas senator wrote on the social platform X. “It’s not right for Members of Congress to be paid if the working men and women of DHS aren’t.”

The Texas senator included a photo of his letter in the Tuesday post, in which he requested Senate Financial Clerk Ted Ruckner to hold his salary “for pickup” after the shutdown ends. He made a similar request during the government shutdown last fall, which lasted 43 days, becoming the longest shutdown in history.

Cruz has taken a leading role in the recent negotiations to reopen the department, as Democrats refuse to back a necessary funding package until the administration agrees to meet several of their demands for reform at DHS’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agencies.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5799202-ted-cruz-salary-withhold-dhs/

[Chasstev365]

1. He's already showing how badly he wants to be president

[littlemissmartypants]

2. If only he could fall on his sword, too.

[oasis]

3. I'm deeply moved by such a noble gesture.

[mpcamb]

11. Yeah, what a statesman. Did he issue the request from Cancun?

[Norrrm]

4. Big deal! It's not voluntary for the DHS folks who cannot conveniently wait.

[Javaman]

5. of course he did, he just made mint in oil futures. nt

[Walleye]

6. Do people really think that senators live on their salary?

[lonely bird]

7. Performative little fuck

[twodogsbarking]

8. What about his pension, full paid health plan, retirement, travel and meals. Mexico will pay.

[Scruffy1]

12. Congress people pay 60% for health insurance.

However, his wife makes a lot more than he does with a stay at home job "job" working for Goldman Sachs.

[twodogsbarking]

14. Thanks for contibuting

Members of Congress and their staff obtain health insurance through the DC Health Link Small Business Market (SHOP), which is part of the Affordible Care Act.
Key details regarding their health insurance costs include:
Premium Subsidies: The federal government contributes to the premiums, typically covering 72% to 75% of the total cost, which is similar to other federal employees in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program.
Plan Selection: Members and staff generally select "Gold-level" plans.
Out-of-Pocket Costs: Members pay for the remaining portion of their premiums (approximately 28%) through pre-tax payroll deductions.
Additional Services: Members may opt into the Office of the Attending Physician (OAP) for an additional fee, which was approximately $650 per year in 2025. This offers basic services, such as routine exams and consultations, but is not a substitute for comprehensive insurance.

In summary, members pay market rates for premiums but receive a significant government contribution towards them.

[Torchlight]

9. Perks, bennies, free travel, security?

Or just the stage prop alone?

[Icanthinkformyself]

10. It's easier to live on savings

when insider trading has made you millions. When the time comes that the rules can be amended we need to make sure that clowns and other circus acts are not allowed to run for political office. That, of course, would disqualify most Republicans and all conservatives. So be it. It doesn't affect me. Conservatives, see how that works? Phuck you.

[cpamomfromtexas]

13. He just doesn't understand how smarmy we

All think he is. Nothing he does can change that.

[purr-rat beauty]

15. He barely works anyways

Quite frankly every one of these lazy gov't welfare Queens should lose pay until they genuinely represent THE PEOPLE