Proposal to Cut Lawmakers’ Pay During Shutdowns Reintroduced

Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) announced on Tuesday that he has revived a proposal aimed at suspending the salaries of federal lawmakers during government shutdowns.

He expressed his concerns, stating, “During the closure, federal workers are told to ‘do fewer.’ Meanwhile, Congress still collects their paychecks. That’s just wrong.” This was mentioned in a post on X.

Norman also thanked colleagues, including Bob Latta from Ohio and Jack Bergman from Michigan, among others, for their support of the proposal.

Most voters oppose government shutdowns, according to polls

In his remarks, Norman noted the frustrations surrounding congressional inaction. He described a recent situation where both parties, Republicans and Democrats, find themselves unable to reach an agreement, leading to a looming shutdown.

“It’s clear that members of Congress have a duty to manage government funding effectively,” he said in a press release. “If Congress cannot meet its responsibilities, then taxpayers should not be expected to foot the bill for our failure to act. It’s unfair to expect Americans to reward us for doing nothing.”

Stalemate in Congress may lead to government shutdown

As discussions continue, the atmosphere in Congress remains tense, with both parties struggling to come to an agreement that would avert funding lapses. Norman’s proposal, if passed, would amend the U.S. Constitution to prohibit lawmakers from receiving compensation during these shutdown periods.

The crux of the issue lies in whether the members will fulfill their obligations to maintain essential government functions, something that Norman seems keen to emphasize.

Interestingly, as he pushes this initiative forward, it’s worth noting that Norman is also running for governor of South Carolina.