WASHINGTON – Democratic Minnesota Congresswoman Angie Craig has introduced a bill that would reduce pay for members of Congress during a government shutdown.
The No Pay For Disarray Act would comply with the 27th amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which says any law changing the salary of members of Congress can only take effect after the next election, would return their docked pay at the end of the session.
Craig also introduced the bill in 2023.
“If Republicans want to keep the government shut down so they can avoid addressing the urgent health care crisis — they shouldn’t get paid for it with your tax dollars,” Craig wrote on social media on October 5, two days after introducing the legislation.
Flag Family News reached out to the congresswomen representing North Dakota and Western Minnesota for their thoughts on Craig’s bill.
GOP North Dakota Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak’s office has told Flag Family News she requested the House of Representatives’ Office of the Chief Administrative Officer to withhold her pay until the government reopens.
She believes if our country’s troops, border patrol agents, TSA officers and air traffic controllers aren’t getting paid, members of Congress shouldn’t either.
“While I can appreciate Rep. Craig’s bill, it’s a distraction from the fact that she and her Democrat colleagues have repeatedly put politics over people and voted to shut down the government,” Fedorchak said in a statement to Flag Family News. “They’re holding it hostage for $1.5 trillion in unserious partisan demands.”
Republican Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach believes the legislation is a political stunt by someone running for higher office.
Craig is campaigning for Senate since Minnesota Senator Tina Smith has announced her retirement.
“I realize that reducing member pay isn’t a big deal for multi-millionaires like Angie Craig and Nancy Pelosi, but not every member of Congress is a millionaire, and I don’t think they all should be,” Fischbach wrote.
“If Rep. Craig thinks government shutdowns are irresponsible, then she shouldn’t have voted to shut the government down. If she feels guilty about collecting a paycheck, she can always donate her salary, perhaps to a cause that will help the federal workers and troops whose paychecks she voted to take away.”
Flag Family News followed up Craig, Fedorchak and Fischbach if they would donate part of their salary during the shutdown. They didn’t immediately respond.
