Members of Congress from both sides of the political aisle are donating their taxpayer-funded salaries during the government shutdown.
The federal government shut down on Friday at midnight after the Senate failed to pass a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through Feb. 16.
The House on Thursday had passed a short-term spending bill to keep the government open that included a measure to extend the Children's Health Insurance Program for six years. The next day, however, the CR failed in the Senate, triggering the shutdown. All but five Senate Democrats voted against the government-funding bill, saying they will not support a plan that does not preserve the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA), which provides legal protections to immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children.
With the shutdown in place, thousands of federal employees who are deemed "non-essential" will be furloughed, meaning they are asked not to come into work and are on unpaid leave for the duration of the shutdown. The military is considered essential and currently paid through Feb. 1, but if the shutdown continues for weeks, about 1.3 million active-duty military personnel will be expected to work potentially without pay.
Republican Rep. Scott Taylor (Va.) was one of the first lawmakers to announce his intention to donate his salary to a non-profit in his district that helps veterans overcome homelessness and substance abuse.
"Congress shouldn't be paid during this # GovtShutdown, just like some of you aren't being paid & especially if our military & first responders are not," Taylor tweeted over the weekend. "I will donate my salary to a military/veterans' charity each day. Today's pay will go to Vetshouse, Inc."
Congress shouldn't be paid during this #GovtShutdown , just like some of you aren't being paid & especially if our military & first responders are not. I will donate my salary to a military/veterans' charity each day. Today's pay will go to Vetshouse, Inc.https://t.co/780MrFfYDP
— Scott Taylor (@Scotttaylorva) January 20, 2018
Sen. Todd Young (R., Ind.), a Marine Corps veteran, released a statement saying that he would donate his salary to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation until the shutdown ends.
Until the govt. reopens, I'll be donating my salary to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. My statement here: https://t.co/GPLiQLwzC7 pic.twitter.com/tagjgKXoHW
— Senator Todd Young (@SenToddYoung) January 20, 2018
Several other members of Congress from both parties were quick to echo similar sentiments, saying they will forgo pay during the shutdown.
If Virginians don't do their jobs, they don't get paid. Congress shouldn't, either. I'll be donating my salary to charity during the #TrumpShutdown
— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) January 21, 2018
Members of Congress should not be paid while our government isn't running.
I'm informing the CAO: for the entirety of the #SchumerShutdown, I will not be accepting one dime of my salary. As long as our military members and families aren't being paid, I won't be paid either.
— Mark Meadows (@MarkMeadows) January 21, 2018
I am a cosponsor of the No Government No Pay Act, which ensures that members of Congress do not receive pay during a government shutdown. I will not take my Senate salary during the GOP shutdown & will donate it to charity
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) January 20, 2018
While we wait for Senate Democrats to agree on a proposal that will re-open the government, I will donate my salary to charity for each day the government is closed. Elected officials should not be treated any different than the rest of our government workforce.
— Rep. Jim Renacci (@RepJimRenacci) January 21, 2018
A government shutdown can be confusing. Find information at my website or call my office for assistance. While the government goes without funding, I'll be donating my salary to the Direct Relief Mudslide Fund & the Adsum Education Foundation. Learn more: https://t.co/U7cBqAssYR
— Rep. Salud Carbajal (@RepCarbajal) January 20, 2018
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) said Sunday that the Senate will vote at noon Monday on a continuing resolution to fund the government through Feb. 8.