Manchin: I Will Forgo My Federal Salary if the Government Shuts Down

Manchin urges President, Vice President and all Congressional colleagues to join him in “No Budget, No Pay” pledge

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) will return his federal salary to the U.S. Treasury Department if the government shuts down, and is urging all his colleagues – from the President and Vice President to all Members of the House and Senate – to do the same.

In a letter he is circulating to his colleagues today asking them to make the same pledge, Senator Manchin says it does not make any sense for elected officials to get paid during a government shutdown.

“The bottom line is this: I can’t imagine that the President, Vice President or any Member of Congress – Republican or Democrat – thinks they should get paid when the government has shut down,” Senator Manchin wrote. “Some in Washington will deride this as an empty gesture. To those naysayers, I say that the American people expect more of us. They expect us to lead by example and share their pain until a budget resolution is reached that reflects our values and priorities as a country.”

The Senate unanimously passed legislation offered by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Bob Casey (D-Penn.) that would prevent lawmakers and the President from drawing a salary if the government shuts down. Senator Manchin was a cosponsor of that legislation. However, the House of Representatives has not brought the bill to the floor for a vote.

A full copy of Senator Manchin’s letter is attached.

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