More lawmakers from both parties are opting to forgo their paychecks as the government shutdown continues into its second week.
As the government shutdown approaches its one-week mark, an increasing number of lawmakers from both parties are requesting that their pay be withheld. The federal government has been closed since Senate Democrats repeatedly rejected Republican proposals to fund agencies through November 21.
Among the Republicans who have taken a stand are Representatives Chip Roy of Texas, Ashley Hinson of Iowa, Tom Barrett of Michigan, Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa, and Rob Bresnahan of Pennsylvania. These lawmakers have written to the Chief Administrative Officer of the U.S. House of Representatives, formally asking for their pay to be withheld during the shutdown.
Democratic Representatives Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and Lou Correa of California have made similar requests, indicating that the desire to forgo paychecks is not limited to one party. However, it is important to note that lawmakers cannot completely forgo their pay due to federal law, which mandates that they receive compensation for their services.
Article I of the U.S. Constitution states, “The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.” Additionally, the 27th Amendment prohibits any changes to congressional pay until after the next election cycle.
Most members of the House and Senate earn a salary of $174,000 per year, a figure that has remained unchanged since 2009. Congressional leaders may earn more, depending on their positions. A source familiar with the situation told Fox News Digital that while members of Congress can choose to have their pay withheld during a shutdown, they are entitled to receive that pay as backpay once the government is funded again.
Rep. Joe Morelle, a Democrat from New York and the top Democrat on the Committee for House Administration, explained to Bloomberg Government last week that lawmakers’ withheld paychecks can be deposited into a separate account, allowing them to effectively manage their compensation during the shutdown. “It’s an administrative way of withholding pay for people who choose to,” he stated.
In contrast, congressional staffers automatically miss their paychecks if their pay period coincides with a government shutdown, although they too will receive backpay once the shutdown concludes.
Some lawmakers have gone a step further, announcing plans to donate their paychecks for the duration of the shutdown. Senators Ashley Moody of Florida and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina have both committed to this course of action. Moody stated, “Each day the government remains closed, I will be donating my salary to the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, which provides help to vulnerable populations who may be impacted by this reckless choice.”
The ongoing government shutdown has sparked a range of responses from lawmakers, reflecting a growing concern over the impact of the closure on federal employees and services. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how many more lawmakers will join the ranks of those opting to forgo their pay during this challenging period.
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