Congresswoman Pou Vows to Accept No Pay During Federal Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) today vowed to not accept pay during any shutdown of the government.

"Even though Republicans have cancelled votes in Congress this week, I came down to Washington to work with my colleagues to avert a shutdown of the federal government," said Congresswoman Pou. "The skyrocketing cost of living continues to crush Americans. A shutdown by House Republicans will only make things much worse for millions. So today I promise to not accept pay during any government shutdown. This is fair and right. With Republicans in control of the entire government - House, the Senate, and the White House - the ball is in their court."

A copy of Congresswoman Pou's letter to the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives rejecting her pay during a shutdown is here.

Dear Ms. Szpindor:

If the federal government experiences a lapse in appropriations and is shut down on October 1, I request that you withhold my pay as a Member of Congress. Members of Congress should follow the same rules as the people they represent. Until Congress and the White House come to a bipartisan resolution to this impasse, one that makes whole the workers I represent in New Jersey's Ninth District and fully reopens the government, I firmly believe Member pay should be withheld.

Having previously served in the state legislature for almost three decades, I find Washington's dysfunction is unacceptable, and New Jerseyans have had enough. Finding a budget compromise each year is one of Congress' core responsibilities, but the extreme partisanship in Washington is toxic and hinders good faith negotiation.

Until both parties and the White House come to the table, do their job, and reopen the government, I respectfully ask that you withhold my pay until an agreement is signed into law.

Sincerely,

Nellie Pou

Member of Congress

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La Congresista Pou Se Compromete a No Recibir Salario Durante el Cierre del Gobierno Federal

WASHINGTON, DC - La congresista Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) declaró hoy que no aceptará salario alguno durante cualquier cierre del gobierno federal.

"Aunque los republicanos han cancelado las votaciones en el Congreso esta semana, viajé a Washington para trabajar con mis colegas y evitar un cierre del gobierno federal," dijo la congresista Pou. "El aumento desmedido del costo de vida sigue afectando duramente a los estadounidenses. Un cierre impulsado por los republicanos solo empeorará la situación para millones de personas. Por eso, hoy prometo no aceptar salario alguno durante cualquier cierre del gobierno. Esto es justo y correcto. Con los republicanos controlando todo el gobierno - la Cámara, el Senado y la Casa Blanca - la responsabilidad está en sus manos."

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