Perverse Incentive

And if your head explodes with dark forebodings too
I'll see you on the dark side of the moon
--Pink Floyd

During a federal government shutdown, Congress still gets paid. Seems very wrong at first blush. On the other hand, if Congress didn't get paid during a shutdown, then there would be less incentive among lawmakers to shut parts of government down.

Of course, since they are getting paid, there is zero chance that Congress would voluntarily shut themselves down (which, until we have lawmakers who remain faithful to the Constitution, is what we need).

Paying Congress during government shutdowns is what is known as a perverse incentive.