Fedorchak Backs Bill to Prohibit Congress From Receiving Paychecks During Government Shutdowns

(Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

(North Dakota Monitor) – U.S. Rep. Julie Fedorchak, R-N.D., is pushing for a bill that would prohibit federal lawmakers from receiving paychecks during a government shutdown.

Fedorchak and Rep. Maggie Goodlander, D-N.H., along with 18 other freshman members of the House, sent a letter to Speaker of the House Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La. urging him to bring the Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act to the House floor for consideration.

“Members should share in the consequences of a shutdown — not be insulated from them,” the letter states. “Doing so would better align incentives to come to the negotiating table, reinforce accountability, and demonstrate to the American people that we take our responsibilities seriously.”

Fedorchak, who is serving her first term, said that she was surprised to see how easy it was to shut down the government after witnessing it last.