Today, Tuesday, October 1, 2013, in a speech before the House of Representatives, Congressman Jason Smith urged his colleagues in the House and members of the Senate to join him in refusing their congressional salary during the government shutdown. On September 30, Smith sent a letter to Dan Strodel, Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives asking for his pay to be withheld during the government shutdown. Smith made the decision to have his pay withheld because families across the country are facing furloughs and he does not believe Congress deserves special treatment and he hopes his colleagues will do the same.
“Members of Congress are no better than anyone else. Families across the country are facing furloughs because President Obama and leaders in the Senate refused to work with House Republicans to stop the negative impact ObamaCare will have on our economy and healthcare system,”said Smith.“I have asked for my congressional salary to be withheld during the government shutdown and I urge my colleagues to do the same. It’s just not fair for me or any other Member of Congress to receive special treatment.”
