CNN "Newsroom" - Transcript: Government Shutdown

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And let me talk to Congressman Jason Smith, a Republican from Missouri.

So, Congressman, welcome. Thank you for taking the time.

You know, I want to just begin with the news. I know you were part of this closed-door meeting with House Republicans here. We're learning that you all are considering now piecemeal bills, piecemeal votes to fund the government. Can you give me sort of the back story? Why this strategy?

REP. JASON SMITH (R), MISSOURI: You know, Brooke, thanks for having me on.

First and foremost, right now, it is the urgency of the House Republicans to open government up. We're trying every aspect we can to get the House Democrats -- the Senate Democrats and the president to actually just work with us and negotiate. We have sent four different proposals over to the Senate, and they continue to table the motion.

The last one last night in the early morning hours, we asked to go to conference and just to get to the middle to actually negotiate common ground. They refused to negotiate. You know, I'm the newest member in Washington, D.C., as a member of Congress. Where I come from in Missouri, we actually believe you cooperate with people. It's so unfortunate the government is closed, but we need to get our job done.

BALDWIN: OK. I'm not going to get into the machinations of negotiating there on the hill. But let me just cut right to it, because a lot of Americans are irked. I just talked to this couple. They can't get married in the Grand Canyon because of you, because of Congress.

So one of their issues is, hey, give up your salary. You should not be paid. I know, Congressman, you're actually offering, you know, to give up your salary. What would you do with that money?

SMITH: You know, I totally agree with those people. It's about fairness. Where I come from, people get the job done and then they get paid for the job that they have done. We have not finished and accomplished our job by passing a budget up here. And I have called for the House administrator to withhold my salary. What I will do with that salary for the days that we have lapsed in appropriations is to give it back to the Treasury, where it belongs.

BALDWIN: Let me take it a step further, because a lot of members of Congress are fairly affluent, so maybe this wouldn't be too big of a deal if they're giving up their own salaries for, say, a week. What about all the perks you all get, the cars, the travel to and from D.C.? Would you be willing to give that up?

SMITH: You know, absolutely. Washington politicians should not be treated any differently than any other American. That's what people are fed up with. That's one of the last proposals we sent over to the Senate, is to say, whoever -- you know, all Washington politicians, Congress, the president, the vice president, every member of leadership, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, should have to fall into the same requirement of any other American when it comes to Obamacare.

For some reason, they decided to exempt themselves. But if they want this program so much, they should be able to stand up and be the first ones to sign up to be a part of it.

BALDWIN: Congressman Jason Smith, thank you very much for your time today.

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