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Members of Congress still get paid during a government shutdown (www.nbcnews.com)
submitted 1 year ago by to c/news@lemmy.world
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Millions of federal workers won't get paid during a government shutdown. But the people who could prevent or end a shutdown — members of Congress — will still receive a paycheck.

That’s because their pay is protected under Article I, Section 6 of the Constitution, which states: “The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.”

The Constitution “says members will be paid,” Rep. Joe Morelle of New York, the top Democrat on the House Administration Committee, explained to reporters Tuesday.

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[–] 96 points 1 year ago (8 children)

It should be noted that not getting paid during a government shutdown would disproportionately negatively affect Democrats in the House, many of whom rely on that income. More House Republicans are independently wealthy.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

    It really varies by state and department.

    Plenty of red states have stacked their bureaucracies with loyal Republican apparatchiks. They'll be hit as hard as anyone else.

    More House Republicans are independently wealthy.

    Vanishingly few Congresscritters are anything resembling poor. You need a certain excess of free time and wealth just to attempt to run. And you need a large body of wealthy friends to finance your campaign.

    The idea that Nancy Pelosi and Dick Durbin can't weather this storm because they're Democrats is absurd.

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  • [–] -1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

    many of whom rely on that income

    Keep in mind, it's a 6-figure salary and they'd rather live a higher quality of life than save or invest that money for later.

    It's not about needs, it's about wants. These people are all richer than us.

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  • [–] 4 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    for those curious it's $174,000 per annum for members of the House and Senate. according to rentcafe and numbeo the average price for an apartment just under 800 sq ft a month is about $2500. Other cost of living expenses are on par with other major cities.

    They're fine. This doesn't include other benefits and kick backs and what have you which I imagine they all get plenty of.

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  • [–] 5 points 1 year ago

    the average price for an apartment just under 800 sq ft a month is about $2500

    That's usually a second home they're paying for, because most of them have places to live and families in their respective states when not in session. Does the federal government reimburse for flights back and forth from their home to DC? Because there are a lot of those too

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