Collins won’t accept pay during government shutdown

Press release, Congressman Chris Collins

Congressman Chris Collins, R-Clarence, has asked House leadership to suspend his own pay during the duration of the partial shutdown of the federal government. Late last night, Collins sent a letter to House administration requesting that his pay be withheld for the length of the shutdown.

This comes after Collins announced growing support for his bill that would suspend pay for all members of Congress during a government shutdown. Eighteen members of the House have signed onto the Government Shutdown Fairness Act. Members of Congress are paid $174,000 a year.

“The American people sent us to Washington to do a job,” Collins said. “If we cannot live up to that obligation, we should not be taking a pay check, a pay check that is funded by the taxes paid by our fellow hardworking Americans. If the federal government is shut down, members of Congress should not get paid, and we should not be held to a different standard when it comes to Obamacare, either.”

Last night, Collins voted for a measure that fully funds the government and eliminates any special treatment and exemptions from Obamacare for Congress and its staff, as well as the President and his appointees. The Senate refused to act on the proposal.

“The American people deserve more from their Congress and it is time, as members of Congress, that we put ourselves at the back of the line and put our constituents first.”