Senator Johnson to Donate Paychecks During Shutdown

Senator Johnson Announces Pledge to Donate Paychecks to Joseph Fund During Shutdown

Senator Ron Johnson announced that during the government shutdown, his paychecks will be donated to the Joseph Project

Published October 9, 2025

On Monday, Senator Ron Johnson announced that he will be donating all of his paychecks during the government shutdown to charity.

“Since the U.S. Constitution requires that I receive pay, even during a shutdown, I’ll be donating my paychecks to The Joseph Project. Every day the shutdown continues, the check gets a little bigger – compliments of Chuck Schumer,” Senator Johnson said.

The Joseph Project is a faith based job initiative created by Senator Johnson and Pastor Jerome Smith Sr. of Greater Praise Church of God in Christ in Milwaukee. The Project was inspired by the book, “The Triumphs of Joseph: How Todays Community Healers Are Reviving Our Streets and Neighborhoods,” by Robert L. Woodson Sr. (RELATED: Van Orden Pushes Agricultural Reform to Protect U.S. Food Supply)

“Sen. Johnson’s staff partners with Pastor Smith and other church pastors to host week-long class sessions teaching job-seekers the “essential employability skills” that help participants excel in job interviews,” says Senator Johnson’s website.

The government shutdown has now reached 1 week, since the Senate Democrats refused to pass the non-partisan continuing resolution to extend funding. Democrats are under pressure from their special interest groups, and refuse to approve the continuing resolution unless certain demands are met, holding the government and American people hostage. (RELATED: Churches Free to Endorse Candidates Ahead of 2026 Elections)

JOHNSON: THIS IS THE SCHUMER SHUTDOWN
“All they have to do is vote for that clean CR — government opens up in an hour or two. Why won’t they do that? They’re playing partisan games.” — @SenRonJohnson @stevegrubershow pic.twitter.com/Vuj6b386ec
— Real America's Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) October 7, 2025

Senator Johnson has introduced legislation to try and prevent government shutdowns for all time. “My new bill simply provides for automatic two-week rolling continuing resolutions for any department for which an appropriation bill or longer-term continuing resolution hasn’t been passed. This would keep spending flat by prorating the previous year’s spending level,” said Johnson to the Wall Street Journal.

The Democrats accuse the continuing resolution of taking away healthcare from Americans, their champion “issue” with the bill. However, this bill has nothing written about taking away healthcare, and actually extends it.

The shutdown is extending into its first week.