On October 1st the Government effectively “shut down”. During a government shutdown, missions deemed essential to national security — like active-duty military operations, border security, and air traffic control — continue without pause. But the servicemembers flying missions overseas, the TSA agents screening passengers, and the Border Patrol agents protecting our borders are forced to work without pay. Meanwhile, food inspections stall, small business loans are delayed, national parks close, and countless federal workers are furloughed. The essential work of government does not stop — but the people doing that work are punished for Congress’s failure to act.

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill will continue to get paid their $174,000 annual salaries. The Speaker of the House remains to be paid an annual salary of $223,500 the Majority and Minority Leaders of the House and Senate continue to be paid an annual salary of $193,400 and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate continues to be paid an annual salary of $193,400. Salaries continue even if Congress does not come back to Washington to vote on legislation.

We believe if you don’t do your job, you should not get paid. We call for the following:

1. The Speaker of the House to bring back the House to Washington to do their job , negotiate and vote on legislation.

2. Pass legislation that institutes a time cap on any congressional motions to recess or adjourn, restricts official travel for members of Congress, their staffs and White House and Office of Management and Budget personnel during a shutdown, until that shutdown is resolved.

3. Withhold the pay of Members of Congress for any day that there is a government shutdown.

When Congress fails to do its job, it is indefensible for its members to continue drawing a salary while federal workers, the disabled and families bear the cost of inaction. Representation is not a privilege — it is a responsibility. And if they’re not at the table doing the work, they have no business taking the check.

60% of Americans live "paycheck to paycheck. As military families, every October we brace ourselves navigating potential and actual Government shutdowns now and in the past we’ve imagined payday with no paycheck. We are not the only ones.

In total, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that as many as 750,000 workers are furloughed at a cost of $400 million per day in missed pay. Furloughed federal workers are required by law to receive pay that covers the time that they were furloughed. The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 (GEFTA) was enacted to ensure federal workers would receive back pay once government funding is restored, but the White House has illegally threatened that this may not happen for federal employees affected by this shutdown.

An additional 690,000 federal workers are required to continue working without pay. These individuals include people who work for inpatient and emergency medical care, air traffic control, law enforcement, border security, disaster aid, and power grid maintenance.

If the shutdown goes on, many might miss their next paycheck and have trouble paying rent, mortgages, or other bills. Civilian employees will experience their first fully missed paycheck on October 24, 28, or 30.

Reductions of federal staffing harm Government services that we pay for.

There are approximately 14.3 million military and veteran caregivers in the United States.

Health Care: 2.3 million children with disabilities are covered by Medicaid. Medicaid is a primary source of coverage for these children, with over four in ten children with special health care needs covered by Medicaid or CHIP. For children with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD), Medicaid covers more than one-third of enrollees under 65 and provides crucial services beyond those typically offered by private insurance.  Medicaid covers over half of all long-term care in the United States. Medicare and Medicaid are funded separately from regular government operations, so those benefits will stay active even in a shutdown. However, some people might not be able to get help with tasks like Medicaid eligibility verification because of reduced staffing at federal agencies. Additionally, healthcare providers may experience delays in processing claims. It may be harder for people who depend on Medicare and/or Medicaid to access healthcare during the shutdown.  

Food Access: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a program that helps low income people buy the food they need for good health.. About 80% of households who receive SNAP benefits are households with children, a disabled person, or an older adult. If the shutdown is prolonged (several weeks or more), the program could run out of funding, leading to delays or suspension of benefits for millions of low-income families, including those who are active duty military (over 20,000 families). Many USDA employees who help administer SNAP may be furloughed, potentially slowing down customer service and applications.

It is the solemn duty of the federal government to secure the blessings of liberty, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, establish justice, and promote the general welfare of the people. Congress has a constitutional obligation to keep our government functioning. Holding the paychecks of American workers and the vital services they depend on hostage to partisan brinkmanship is not leadership — it is a dereliction of duty.

The American people deserve a government that works for them, not one paralyzed by political games.