GT to Congress: Withhold My Pay

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-Howard, today announced that he will not accept a salary for the duration of the Federal government shutdown. In a letter to the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives, Thompson formally requested that his pay be withheld during the lapse of appropriations.

“Pursuant to the 27th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, pay for a Member of Congress cannot be altered until a new Congress begins,” Thompson wrote. “However, it is clear that Congress has failed to fulfill one of its most basic responsibilities; making appropriations.”

“I respectfully request that you withhold my pay for the duration of the government shutdown,” the letter concludes.

Thompson addressed the action yesterday on the floor of the U.S. House, along with his co-sponsorship of H.R. 3160, the Government Shutdown Fairness Act, which would stop Members of Congress from receiving a salary during a government shutdown.

“Mr. Speaker, where I come from we believe in an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay,” Thompson said. “It would be morally reprehensible for me or other members of this body to collect a pay check while this lapse of appropriations continues.”

Thompson’s staff will remain working without pay for the duration of the shutdown.

“My staff will also remain hard at work, and they, too, will work unpaid, providing the same level of services to the constituents of the 5th Congressional District,” stated Thompson.

Thompson’s full floor remarks can be viewed here.

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