An unintended consequence

I agree on principle that it is wrong for Congress to receive their pay during a shutdown while federal employees do not — especially given how Congress has control over ending the shutdown. However, in practice many members of Congress are wealthy enough that withholding their paycheck is merely symbolic, except for the fact that it would give these wealthy members of Congress leverage over members of more modest means who do rely on that paycheck. If the goal is to ensure Congress can empathize more with Americans who are just a few paychecks away from crisis, giving the richest members of Congress more power would make the situation worse.

Tim Murphy

Lisle