Offers Amendment on the House Floor

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Tim Walz offered an amendment on the floor to prevent Members of Congress or the President from taking a paycheck if the government shuts down.

“Where I come from, nobody gets paid for a job they didn’t do,” said Walz. “The American people send us here to work together and solve the country’s problems and if we can’t do that, I don’t think we should be taking home a paycheck.”

The amendment Walz offered was passed by the Senate unanimously earlier this month.

If the government shuts down, millions of Americans would be harmed. Social security checks could be delayed as well as veterans’ benefits. Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan would not be paid while they are risking their lives in service to our country.

In light of the damage a shutdown could cause, Congressman Walz expressed his dismay that some of his colleagues would consider taking a paycheck for days they didn’t work.

-30-