Some House and Senate lawmakers are requesting that their paychecks be withheld as millions of federal workers prepare to go without pay.

Millions of federal workers won’t get paid during a government shutdown. But the people who could prevent or end a shutdown — members of Congress — will still receive a paycheck.

That’s because their pay is protected under Article I, Section 6 of the Constitution, which states: “The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.”

The Constitution “says members will be paid,” Rep. Joe Morelle of New York, the top Democrat on the House Administration Committee, explained to reporters Tuesday.

  • rozodru@piefed.socialEnglish
    51·
    26 days ago

    for those curious it’s $174,000 per annum for members of the House and Senate. according to rentcafe and numbeo the average price for an apartment just under 800 sq ft a month is about $2500. Other cost of living expenses are on par with other major cities.

    They’re fine. This doesn’t include other benefits and kick backs and what have you which I imagine they all get plenty of.

    • protist@mander.xyzEnglish
      5·
      26 days ago

      the average price for an apartment just under 800 sq ft a month is about $2500

      That’s usually a second home they’re paying for, because most of them have places to live and families in their respective states when not in session. Does the federal government reimburse for flights back and forth from their home to DC? Because there are a lot of those too

    • Bronzebeard@lemmy.zip
      1·
      24 days ago

      And honestly, for the skills set and expertise that we should be demanding these people have, that’s not exactly a high salary compared to what they could be getting in the private sector.