Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) is asking the House to withhold his pay if the government shuts down at the end of the month.
“It is my understanding that pursuant to the Constitution, members of Congress will continue to receive their pay during a lapse in appropriations,” Gaetz wrote in a letter to Catherine Szpindor, House chief administrative officer. “Therefore, I am requesting that in the case of a lapse of appropriations beginning at 12:00 a.m. on October 1, 2023, my pay be withheld until legislation has taken effect to end such lapse in appropriations in its entirety.”
With the September 30th deadline approaching, House Republicans are yet to pass legislation to fund the government. Gaetz and some other hardline Republicans in the House are also opposed to passing a short term spending measure.
If Congress doesn’t pass spending bills this week, federal workers would temporary go without paychecks, but members of Congress would still get paid. Nonessential workers will be furloughed. Only essential workers such as air traffic controllers and law enforcement officers still have to report to work.
