Rep. Swalwell Refuses Paycheck During Shutdown until Working Federal Employees are Paid

U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (CA-15) today sent a letter to the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) requesting that in the event of a government shutdown he not be paid until federal employees working during the shutdown receive their paychecks. 

Read his letter below.

Currently, all Members of Congress will receive their monthly paychecks even during a federal government shutdown.

“I sincerely hope we can avoid an irresponsible government shutdown by passing a reasonable solution to fund the government,” said Rep. Swalwell. “But, in the event of a shutdown, I will refuse my paycheck until federal employees who must work during the shutdown are paid. I am proud to stand with the hardworking federal employees at Camp Parks in Dublin, Lawrence Livermore and Sandia National Laboratories in Livermore, and across the country by ensuring that I am treated no differently in this situation.”

Certain federal employees will be forced to work during a shutdown without a paycheck until a bill to fund the federal government is enacted. 

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Dear Chief Administrative Officer Strodel:

I am writing to ask that I not be given my salary, earned for the month of October and thereafter, in the event of a lapse in appropriations until such funding legislation is enacted.

There is currently uncertainty as to whether appropriations will be enacted for the start of fiscal year (FY) 2014, which begins tomorrow, October 1, 2013.  If there is a no appropriations legislation enacted, certain elements of the federal government will shut down.

In the event of a federal government shutdown, hundreds of thousands of federal employees will be furloughed.  Others, who are deemed to perform essential services, will be forced to work.  Despite the fact that these latter employers have to work, they will not receive paychecks during the period of a government shutdown.  However, it is my understanding that I, as a Member of Congress, will continue to receive a paycheck. 

I believe it is simply wrong and unfair for me to receive my salary while Americans working hard across the country as part of our federal workforce receive nothing until this appropriations crisis is resolved.  Therefore, I ask that until federal employees who must work during a federal government shutdown are paid, I not be given my paycheck.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Eric Swalwell

Member of Congress