Dems Press Boehner To Suspend Congressional Pay In Event Of Government Shutdown

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Dems Press Boehner To Suspend Congressional Pay In Event Of Government Shutdown
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/dems-press-boehner-to-suspend-congressional-pay-in-event-of-government-shutdown.php


Democrats in both the House and Senate are pressing Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) to take up legislation that would suspend congressional pay in the event of a government shutdown.

"Given the fact that a shutdown will cause real harm to millions of Americans, Congress must accept the same consequences if it fails to keep the government functioning," reads a letter from Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT), cosigned by over two dozen Dems, to Boehner. "The House must be given an opportunity to vote on clean bill that leaves no doubt that Members of Congress cannot receive a paycheck while the rest of the nation suffers from inaction on government funding for this year."

Just yesterday, over a dozen Dem senators sent a similar letter to Boehner. Weeks ago, the Senate unanimously passed legislation to precisely this effect. And now, both House and Senate Dems are asking for a vote on that bill in the House.

(snip)
You can read Matheson's letter here, and the Senate letter, written by Barbara Boxer (D-CA), here.


http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/documents/2011/03/house-dems-press-boehner-to-suspend-congressional-pay-in-event-of-shutdown.php?page=1

Senate Democrats Call on Speaker Boehner to Immediately Hold a Vote on 'No Budget, No Pay' Bill
http://boxer.senate.gov/en/press/releases/033011.cfm

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

1. If WE federal employees don't get paid, NO federal employees get back, especially members of Congres

who are always on fucking recess anyway!!! They are federal workers, too! Their staffs as well!!!!

[LiberalEsto]

15. +100

My husband works for a federal contractor. They will have to use up vacation days if there is a shutdown.

[louis-t]

2. Good, put yer money where yer mouth is Boner.

Asshole.

[WhiteTara]

3. Those teabagging critters will be unhappy with that idea

cause they've only gotten one pay check so far and they are really whining.

[Ozymanithrax]

4. Pay, allowances, and even health care should be suspended...

If they chose to shut down the government and temporarily halt medicare and medicaid, they should suffer like the rest of us.

[MiniMe]

5. I guess Boner won't count on that Teabagger vote

The one who said that he couldn't afford to not get his $174k salary. Because he has 6 kids and a mortgage, and other bills. Like the government workers don't.

[Angry Dragon]

6. hey weeping boner think of it as merit pay

if you can not do your job you don't get paid
You people think it is okay for teachers to get paid
or keep their jobs based on merit

[old mark]

7. K&R- But how will he pay for his drinks?...nt

[crickets]

8. Good! K&R -nt

[gratuitous]

9. You heartless bastards!

Won't someone think of Sean Duffy? Struggling to get by on his paltry $174,000 annual salary? And now, with the prospect of his dream coming true and the government being defunded, you mean pricks seek to turn the victory into ashes in his mouth by defunding his government paycheck! What could ever possess you to even think of exacting such an appropriate punishment and example on Rep. Duffy?

I'm thinking of taking up a collection. Hmmm, nothing in the sofa cushions. Hey, a potato chip!

[Tx4obama]

10. The Senate passed a bill

March 1, 2011

Passed S.388, a bill to prohibit Member of Congress and President pay during Government Shutdown.

http://democrats.senate.gov/calendar/2011-03.html

So, now it is up to the House to pass it.

[glinda]

11. Chip Cravaak won't get his disability will he?

:sarcasm:

[NYC Liberal]

12. Funny how plenty of Republicans thought the Dem Senators in WI

shouldn't be paid when they left the state.

[Bandit]

13. Does anyone believe those millionaires really care?

They could easily go a few weeks without any government paycheck, and everyone knows any shutdown will not last that long.. The ONLY reason they will do it is to try and prove a point...They really don't care one whit about America's finances. If they did they would cut Defense by half and immediately place a substantial tax on all those making over a quarter million a year.. They won't and they don't..

[blogslut]

14. B-b-but what about poor Sean Duffy?

He's barely making it, y'all! He's driving a used minivan! A used minivan! How will he feed his family ham hocks and trotters if he doesn't get his government money?