A handful of Democrats and Republicans are asking that their pay be withheld during the government shutdown, arguing that they should face the same consequences as federal workers and agents.
Among the Republicans asking for their paychecks to be paused are Reps. Chip Roy (R-TX), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Tom Barrett (R-MI), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Bob Latta (R-OH), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ), Young Kim (R-CA), and Rob Bresnahan (R-PA). All four members of the Iowa delegation to the House have also decided to forgo pay until the government reopens.
The lawmakers have insisted they don’t want to see a paycheck until “an appropriations agreement has taken effect.”
In his letter, Barrett stated that it is “wrong” for federal employees and military personnel to continue working without pay, while the president and members of Congress still receive a paycheck.
“In the event of a lapse in appropriations…I believe that fairness dictates that my pay also be withheld until such a time that normal government operations resume,” Barrett wrote.
On a press call, Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) said he plans to ask for his pay to be withheld “if needed” — noting that members don’t get paid until the end of October and, “I’m sincerely hoping that we can get through this before the end of the month.”
On the Democratic side, Reps. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Eugene Vindman (D-VA), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), and Nellie Pou (D-NJ), as well as Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Andy Kim (D-NJ), are asking for their pay to be withheld.
“While Republicans force this shutdown and federal workers and contractors go without pay, I will not accept a paycheck and will continue to stand up for the men and women who protect our communities,” Subramanyam said in a post.
Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ) said she would donate her paycheck to community health centers in her district.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters that it is up for each members to decide on whether to stop their pay. When asked if he planned to withhold his pay, he said “that question is not even a ripe one.”
“We’re anticipating that this shutdown issue will be resolved well in advance of our next paycheck, which as you all know, members of Congress are paid on a monthly basis,” Jeffries said.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ENTERS SHUTDOWN AFTER CONGRESS LETS FUNDING EXPIRE
The government shut down on Oct. 1 at midnight after the Senate was unable to reach the 60-vote filibuster threshold to pass a short-term spending deal to Nov. 21. The Democrats’ continuing resolution proposal, which would punt the funding deadline to Oct. 31, also failed in the upper chamber.
The blame game is in full swing, with Democrats accusing Republicans of not coming to the negotiating table, while Republicans argue Democrats wanted to stuff a “clean” CR with “poison pills” and unreasonable healthcare demands.
