As Shutdown Looms, Buchanan Co-Sponsors Bill to Block Congressional Pay

Statement

With another government shutdown looming, Congressman Vern Buchanan announced today that he has co-sponsored a bill to block paychecks for members of Congress during government shutdowns.

Meanwhile, Buchanan delivered another check to a local non-profit after pledging to donate his congressional salary during the last month's shutdown. Buchanan donated more than $10,000 to three charities -- an amount equal to his pay during the period between Dec. 22 and Jan. 25 when several federal agencies were closed. The charities are the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County, Selby Gardens and Camp Boggy Creek for children with life-threatening illnesses.

Buchanan co-sponsored the bipartisan Hold Congress Accountable Act, which would ensure members of Congress don't receive paychecks during any future shutdowns.

"If no member of Congress got paid during a shutdown you can bet this wouldn't happen again," Buchanan said, noting that the country is facing another possible shutdown on Friday at midnight if lawmakers can't agree on a funding bill. "Stop paying Congress if they can't do their job."

Since current law prohibits lawmakers from increasing or decreasing their own pay during their current term, the Hold Congress Accountable Act (HR 211) would permanently reduce salaries beginning with the next session for as long as the shutdown remains in effect. For the current Congress, the bill would stipulate that pay is withheld from all members until the very last day of the 116th session.

"I made it clear from the very beginning that I would refuse a salary during the shutdown," Buchanan said. "Now, I am giving my salary for the duration of the shutdown to local charities working to benefit our community. The shutdown was yet another sad example of Washington's dysfunction and inability to compromise."

In December, Buchanan was one of the first members of Congress to announce he would refuse a paycheck during the recent government shutdown. Without congressional action, funding for the federal government is set to expire at midnight on Friday, Feb. 15.

He has consistently called for compromise in Washington and was ranked one of the most bipartisan and effective members of Congress by two prominent non-partisan organizations: the Lugar Center and the Center for Effective Lawmaking.

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