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.

  • Pup Biru@aussie.zoneEnglish
    4·
    10 hours ago

    basically the way it works in australia… the budget is considered a test of confidence

    if the government can’t pass a budget, the PM has 2 choices: resign or call an election

    if they refuse to do either of these things, the governor general can step in and dismiss them, in which case an intermediary government is appointed and elections are called ASAP

    if you can’t perform the most basic function of governing, you sure as shit can’t do anything new and deal with issues as they arise