‘Putting My Money Where My Mouth Is’: House Republican Vows To Forego Salary If Government Shuts Down
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GOP Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) said he’ll stand with federal workers and won’t take a paycheck if the government shuts down before the holidays.
Congress has until midnight Friday to pass a spending bill after failing twice to come to an agreement this week.
Miller posted to X, formerly Twitter, “If the men & women who keep our country safe won’t get paid during a shutdown, then neither should Members of Congress. I’m putting my money where my mouth is.”
Miller, a former Trump aide accused of domestic abuse by Trump’s former press secretary, included a screenshot of a letter he sent to the Capitol’s chief administration officer. The letter read:
Should Congress fail to reach an agreement to fund the government before the funding deadline at midnight tonight, December 20, 2024, hundreds of thousands of federal employees will go without pay during a shutdown. This includes the men and women serving in our military, those protecting our borders, ensuring the safety of our skies for air travel, and the workers providing critical counseling and services to millions of Americans.
Simply put, this will happen for one reason: Congress will have failed to do its job.
As a result, Congress should face the same circumstances it imposes on others. Therefore, I request that my net salary be withheld until the funding lapse is resolved. If federal workers and members of the military are not being paid, I will not accept pay either.
The letter included a handwritten quote from President Ronald Reagan: “There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has been scrambling to reach a spending deal in time to avoid a shutdown. Johnson’s initial deal, negotiated in advance with Congressional leaders, was rejected by President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
Johnson told reporters Friday to “stay tuned — we’ve got a plan.”
