Capitol News

Congressman Tom Barrett of Michigan’s 7th Congressional District has instructed the House of Representatives to withhold his salary if a federal government shutdown occurs at midnight. Barrett’s district includes more than 5,000 federal employees who would not receive pay during a shutdown. Military personnel and federal law enforcement officers would also continue working without pay.

“Members of Congress shouldn’t get paid while our federal employees and troops on the front lines go without,” said Barrett. “If Democrats shut down the government tonight, I’ll be withholding my pay until we get it back open for the American people. I voted with conviction to keep the government open. It’s time for Senate Democrats to put people before politics and do the same.”

Government funding is set to expire at midnight. On September 19, Barrett supported H.R. 5371, a continuing resolution that would extend government funding for seven weeks and provide additional resources for protecting public officials amid increasing political violence in the country. The bill requires 60 votes in the Senate, where Democrats have blocked its advancement.