One Democratic congressman told PJM he's not joining other members of Congress in declining a paycheck during the government shutdown because it would be a "Distraction" if lawmakers weren't paid, as well.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick has reintroduced the No Budget No Pay Act and announced that he would send his payment to the U.S. Treasury until the government reopens.
"I will not accept any pay during any government shutdown. I am not delaying my pay; I am sending it back to the United States Treasury. And I am urging all my colleagues, both Republican and Democrat, to do the same. Let's send a message to the extreme partisans on both sides: do your job or don't get paid," Fitzpatrick said in a recent statement.
"That's why I reintroduced my 'No Budget, No Pay' proposal to prevent members of Congress from being paid if Congress fails to pass a budget or allows a lapse in appropriations. This measure would dock pay for time without a budget as opposed to simply putting member salaries in escrow until end of term," he added.
Rep. Gerry Connolly explained why he would not decline his paycheck during the shutdown.
"That's an individual choice by a member of Congress but it's also, frankly, a distraction from the real issue. We are not in the business of adding to the ranks of the unpaid. We're in the business of getting everybody paid fairly," Connolly said during a press conference today with other Democrats who urged Trump to reopen the government to alleviate the financial pain suffered by federal employees.
Rep. Don Beyer said he agrees with Connolly's position on lawmakers continuing to accept pay during the government shutdown.
https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/dems-say-they-arent-refusing-their-pay-during-shutdown-because-it-would-be-a-distraction/
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick has reintroduced the No Budget No Pay Act and announced that he would send his payment to the U.S. Treasury until the government reopens.
"I will not accept any pay during any government shutdown. I am not delaying my pay; I am sending it back to the United States Treasury. And I am urging all my colleagues, both Republican and Democrat, to do the same. Let's send a message to the extreme partisans on both sides: do your job or don't get paid," Fitzpatrick said in a recent statement.
"That's why I reintroduced my 'No Budget, No Pay' proposal to prevent members of Congress from being paid if Congress fails to pass a budget or allows a lapse in appropriations. This measure would dock pay for time without a budget as opposed to simply putting member salaries in escrow until end of term," he added.
Rep. Gerry Connolly explained why he would not decline his paycheck during the shutdown.
"That's an individual choice by a member of Congress but it's also, frankly, a distraction from the real issue. We are not in the business of adding to the ranks of the unpaid. We're in the business of getting everybody paid fairly," Connolly said during a press conference today with other Democrats who urged Trump to reopen the government to alleviate the financial pain suffered by federal employees.
Rep. Don Beyer said he agrees with Connolly's position on lawmakers continuing to accept pay during the government shutdown.
https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/dems-say-they-arent-refusing-their-pay-during-shutdown-because-it-would-be-a-distraction/
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