As the federal government shutdown continues, Alabama’s U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Montgomery), U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise), and U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) announced they will not take a salary as long as gridlock by Democrats continue.
The trio of Alabama lawmakers formally requested that their salaries be withheld until Congress reaches an appropriations agreement and government operations are restored.
Britt submitted a letter to Senate Financial Clerk Ted Ruckner asking that her pay be suspended during the funding lapse.
“Since Democrats have decided to shut down the government—furloughing our federal workers and withholding pay from our troops—I have requested the Financial Clerk of the Senate to do the same with my pay,” Senator Britt wrote.
“I encourage my Democratic colleagues to do the same.”
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The move comes as hundreds of thousands of federal employees face delayed paychecks, while others have been furloughed altogether. Under the Antideficiency Act, agencies must halt most operations until new funding is approved. Only workers in positions deemed essential to protect life and property are required to continue working, often without immediate compensation.
Congressmen Barry Moore and Dale Strong also made public their official request to go without pay during the shutdown.
“Democrats are hurting the American people every day they keep this shutdown going,” Moore said.
“Until an appropriations agreement is reached, I’m asking that my pay is withheld and I call on my Democrat colleagues to do the same.”
“House Republicans passed a clean continuing resolution to keep the government open for the American people, but Democrats would rather hold our government hostage to try and enact their partisan priorities,” Strong said.
“If Democrats insist on forcing a shutdown, then I call on each of them to join me in refusing their pay.”
While federal employees may go without pay during a shutdown, members of Congress continue to receive their salaries under long-standing constitutional and statutory provisions. The news outlet explained that Article I, Section 6 of the U.S. Constitution guarantees lawmakers compensation, and since 1983, congressional pay has been funded by a permanent appropriation, meaning funding for their salaries does not lapse during a government shutdown.
Although members cannot legally forgo their pay outright, they may voluntarily request that their checks be withheld until the shutdown ends. Some lawmakers also choose to donate their earnings to charity or return them to the U.S. Treasury in an effort to show solidarity with those affected, according to the news outlet.
By requesting the withholding of their own salaries, Britt and Strong are joining a growing number of lawmakers across the country taking symbolic steps to stand with federal workers, contractors, and military personnel who are shouldering the burden of the ongoing funding impasse.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
