(Update: For now, the shutdown is averted, but stay tuned... this could happen again real soon)
For months, Speaker John Boehner and his fellow Republicans have been threatening a government shutdown. They've been unwilling to compromise, instead choosing to follow the shrill, irrational calls of their base to take a slash and burn approach to government funding, regardless of the consequences. They've ignored the havoc such a shutdown would wreak upon our still fragile economy, and the hardships it would cause for millions of Americans, including the poor and the elderly.
The most unbelievable thing of all? In their version of a shutdown... Congress would still get paid. We're not kidding. It's taking hypocrisy to an 11.
That's why we're making a simple request to Speaker Boehner:
"Speaker Boehner, if you and the Republicans in Congress really are foolish enough to threaten a government shut-down, then put your money where your mouth is, pass Senate bill 388, and make your members give up their own government salary too!"
Please join us by filling out the form to the right, sending a message to Speaker Boehner, and asking your friends and family to do the same. Time is short, and a shutdown may be imminent unless we take steps to push back, and push back hard.
Of course, you may be asking yourself why a pay suspension isn't already automatic. If working Americans across the nation would lose their pay, why shouldn't Congress? If it's a government shutdown, why in the world aren't the most prominent government employees of all being impacted?
Apparently, only "little people" need fear the shutdown:
As government agencies prepare their lists of employees who would be furloughed during a possible government shutdown, one fortunate group of Washingtonians doesn't have to worry about such things. Under current law, the president, who earns $400,000 annually, and members of Congress, who draw $174,000, will still receive a paycheck during a budget impasse because their salaries are paid with mandatory, not appropriated, spending.
Over in the Senate, Democrat Barbara Boxer has taken a bold step to address this, introducing legislation that would deny pay to members in the event of a shutdown. That legislation has passed, but is still waiting action in John Boehner's House. Why? Because after weeks of dilly-dallying, Boehner finally allowed a vote -- just in time for his GOP colleagues to ludicrously suggest that it was "unconstitutional." We're not kidding. That was their argument for opposing this.
Senate members have called upon Boehner to take action, and put his money where his mouth is:
On Monday, Boxer, Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and the other co-sponsors of the legislation sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner calling on him to bring the measure up for a vote as soon as possible. Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) has introduced the measure in the lower chamber. "We request that the House immediately take up and pass this legislation in the same bipartisan spirit demonstrated by the Senate," the senators wrote to the speaker. "A government shutdown would be a disaster for our nation and for our economy. We must resolve our differences to avoid a shutdown – and if we cannot, none of us should receive a paycheck while the rest of the nation suffers the consequences."
We couldn't agree more. Speaker Boehner, it's time for you to step up, stop the hypocrisy, and put your money where your mouth is.
You want to shut down the government? Start with your own pay. Oh, and Speaker Boehner, while you're at it? Give up your own government-subsidized health care coverage as well.