U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer announced Monday that he will give up his pay if the federal government shuts down Tuesday.
Kilmer said he won’t take a paycheck for the duration of a government shutdown if the House and Senate don’t reach a compromise by Oct. 1 on legislation to keep federal agencies funded.
“I am dead set against a government shutdown because it will have serious effects on our economy and because many people rely on services provided by federal agencies,” Kilmer said.
“I believe in leading by example – if Congress can’t get its act together to stop a government shutdown, then I don’t believe members of Congress should be paid,” he said. “That’s why today I’m announcing I will give up my pay for the duration of a government shutdown.”
Kilmer, a Democrat, represents Washington’s 6th District. He said Congress should put politics aside and get a long-term budget in place.
“The fact that some in Congress would risk a shutdown in order to score political points demonstrates why Congress is currently held in lower regard than head lice,” Kilmer said. “Should the government shut down, I will give up my pay to lead by example in the hopes that Congress will stop the dysfunction, stop the self-imposed crises, and start working on a balanced, bipartisan, long-term budget.”
