Arizona Sen. Martha McSally forgoes paycheck until government shutdown ends
WASHINGTON (FOX 10) - Republican Arizona Sen. Martha McSally has asked for her paycheck to be withheld until the partial government shutdown ends, according to a letter sent to U.S. Senate.
In a YouTube video posted on January 10, McSally says she has asked for her pay to be withheld and says she co-sponsored legislation to block other members of Congress from receiving their pay.
"Today, I requested that my pay be withheld until the partial government shutdown is over, and I cosponsored legislation to block Members of Congress from receiving a paycheck when a budget and funding bills aren't completed by the start of the fiscal year," Sen. McSally said. "I also just introduced legislation to pay federal law enforcement officers as they continue to serve during the partial shutdown. I don't believe Members of Congress should get paid while those who keep us safe, like our border patrol agents and CBP officers at our ports of entry, continue to work tirelessly without pay not knowing how they'll afford their rent and support their families. Let's break the gridlock and find a path forward to secure our border and fund the government."
The partial government shutdown has reached its 21st day as President Donald Trump spent most of Thursday in Texas near the U.S.-Mexico border where he threatened to declare a national emergency to circumvent Congress if he can't reach a deal with Democrats to fund his border wall.
The Associated Press (AP) contributed to this report.