Shutdown

NBC - Members of Congress’ 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.”

 

But some lawmakers don’t like the optics of that, given that they are the ones with the authority to force or end a shutdown. Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., for instance, is one of a handful of lawmakers asking that their paycheck be withheld during the shutdown.

 

Presidents also get paid during a funding lapse. President Donald Trump donated his government salary during his first term and said he’s doing the same this time as well.

Roll Call -  Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said Thursday that the food stamp program will run out of funds in two weeks because of the partial government shutdown, potentially leaving nearly 42 million people without monthly benefits. Read more...