Moran proposes that congress members go unpaid if government is shutdown

[NFS4]

I guess it only seems fair If the House/Senate/President can't do their jobs and work together to come up with a meaningful resolution -- meaning that federal workers go unpaid -- then they should also feel the pain:

Controversy over the considerable budget cuts that passed the House of Representatives have led many to wonder if a government shutdown may ensue.

The shutdown would happen if a budget could not be agreed upon by March 4th, when the current funding law expires.

In the event of a government shutdown, Congressman James P. Moran (VA-08) is proposing an amendment that would deprive congressional members of pay should a shutdown occur.

Current law has it that during shutdowns federal employees are not paid, but the President and members of Congress continue to receive their salaries.

The Government Shutdown Fairness Act, introduced on Friday February 18th would amend the law so that the President and Congress would not receive paychecks during a shutdown either.

“If we’re going to throw federal employees, including our staffs, out on the street, we should be right there with them…In the event of a shutdown, Members should be eating peanut butter and jelly like everyone else,” said Congressman Moran.

A similar companion bill was introduced last Thursday in the Senate by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Senator Robert Casey (D-PA).

“A shutdown in a fragile economic recovery will hurt people who have already suffered through the recession. If it comes to a government shutdown, everyone should agree that Members of Congress and the President should not receive pay or retroactive pay,” said Senator Casey.

With the House of Representatives controlled by the Republicans and the Senate and White House controlled by the Democrats, conflict over the budget was inevitable.

Many Republicans, especially those connected to the Tea Party Movement, are demanding more cuts to various federal programs while many Democrats including Moran protest their extent.

With these factors, the likelihood of a government shutdown continues to be likely; it remains to be seen if the bills proposed by Moran in the House and Casey and Boxer in the Senate will pass.

http://www.examiner.com/alexandria-.../moran-proposes-government-shutdown-amendment

 

[dullard]

The median wealth (meaning half have more) of the US sentators is $2.38 million. Link. I don't think missing a few paychecks will really have any impact on them. Nor will it have any real impact on our debt. The house isn't quite as rich, but most of them could lose a couple year's salary and still not bat an eye.

 

[Jaskalas]

The median wealth (meaning half have more) of the US sentators is $2.38 million. Link. I don't think missing a few paychecks will really have any impact on them. Nor will it have any real impact on our debt. The house isn't quite as rich, but most of them could lose a couple year's salary and still not bat an eye.

Giving them money stimulates the economy, duh?!

 

[Genx87]

The median wealth (meaning half have more) of the US sentators is $2.38 million. Link. I don't think missing a few paychecks will really have any impact on them. Nor will it have any real impact on our debt. The house isn't quite as rich, but most of them could lose a couple year's salary and still not bat an eye.

It is symbolic. And I think they should do it.

 

[dullard]

It is symbolic. And I think they should do it.

I agree with you. But, I was just pointing out that they wouldn't be feeling the pain nor will they "be eating peanut butter and jelly like everyone".

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

They should also have their health coverage suspended and have to deal with that like the rest of us.

Hell, that should be done anyway.

 

[child of wonder]

It is symbolic. And I think they should do it.

So do I. Last I checked, they're Federal employees, too.

 

[venkman]

I remember when he was running for election and my drive to work always had a ton of signs that said "Moran for Congress" and I would think, "too late!"

 

[alkemyst]

does this include all income outside their "paychecks"?

 

[conehead433]

Couldn't we find some way to just fire them all. We don't need any more laws. Congress does little more than find ways to give tax dollars to the corporations that got them elected.

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

Yeah, we get the chance to fire them all every few years. But corporations seem to own the voters just as much as they own politicians.

 

[Exterous]

I agree with you. But, I was just pointing out that they wouldn't be feeling the pain nor will they "be eating peanut butter and jelly like everyone".

I think it would be a start towards healing the rift between the population and the government. I'd also like to see changes to their benefits and health care too

 

[Texashiker]

Moran proposes that congress members go unpaid if government is shutdown

Benjamin Franklin suggested that serving in congress should not be a paid position. But that would prevent a common person from being able to hold the office.

Personally, I think people serving in us congress are overpaid and have too many benefits.

 

[IBMer]

Benjamin Franklin suggested that serving in congress should not be a paid position. But that would prevent a common person from being able to hold the office.

Personally, I think people serving in us congress are overpaid and have too many benefits.

Thats one thing you won't see in a budget anytime soon. Cuts to the benefits and pay of congressional members. Lets start by cutting their healthcare and make them all attempt to get it individually so they have a better grasp of the healthcare system.

 

[her209]

They should also have their health coverage suspended and have to deal with that like the rest of us.

Hell, that should be done anyway.

This guy would shit his pants.

 

[Texashiker]

Lets start by cutting their healthcare and make them all attempt to get it individually so they have a better grasp of the healthcare system.

That will never happen.

Until the people change the way they vote, and stop electing the same officals into office for 20+ years, we will never have real change.