But the discussion got more serious from there.

“I’m very concerned about the precedent that we set of not paying members of Congress for votes they might take,” Romney said.“I just think we have to ask ourselves if we want to start using pay to put pressure on people to vote a certain way, and have people make their decisions in part on getting more money for themselves. Getting their pay so they can stay in their apartment or buy their food.”

Romney had an estimated net worth of up to $270 million, the Deseret News reported, based on federal financial disclosure forms filed in 2018 for his Senate race.

“I think this creates a two-tiered system where the wealthy members won’t be affected by this at all. You know, one member of Congress from my state donates his whole salary and doesn’t need his salary at all, and there are other middle-class members who this will affect,” Paul said. “So, I think in the end you’ll get a two-tiered system where the wealthy members will vote however they want to and you’ll put extra pressure on those who are middle class.”

Both Paul and Romney also expressed concern about withholding the pay of all members of Congress when only a handful of members of leadership and committee chairmen negotiate final agreements on spending bills.