Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Ralph Norman (SC-05) introduced a constitutional amendment that would prevent Members of Congress from getting paid during a government shutdown. Original co-sponsors were: Congressman Mark Meadows (NC-11), Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Congressman Kevin Hern (OK-01), Congressman Bill Posey (FL-08), Congressman Pete Olson (TX-22), Congressman John Curtis (UT-03).

Congressman Norman released the following statement:

“Today, I took a step to bring common-sense back to the federal government – I introduced a constitutional amendment that would prevent Members of Congress from getting paid during a government shutdown.

“It’s shocking to me that this is even an issue, where else in America would employees get paid for failing to do their jobs. Members have a Constitutional duty to keep the government open and funded. As it stands now, Members of Congress still receive their paycheck, even when they cannot keep the government running. This just is not right.

“It is time to bring a dose of reality to the swamp. If we cannot do our jobs, then we do not deserve to get paid, plain and simple. It does not count to delay pay or get back pay as is the case with government employees. In the event of a shut-down we have failed the American people, and therefore have not earned our pay.

“Maybe the threat of losing of money will incentivize Representatives and Senators to return to regular order. I am willing to take whatever steps are necessary to bring accountability and common-sense back to the way our government operates.”

Read full context of the constitutional amendment here.

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