Congressman Tim Moore Requests His Congressional Pay Withheld During Democrat Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Tim Moore (NC-14) penned a letter to the Chief Administrative Officer of the U.S. House of Representatives, Catherine Szpindor, requesting that his pay be withheld during the duration of the government shutdown.

“Due to the ongoing government shutdown caused by Senate Democrats, I am requesting that my congressional salary be withheld until the government reopens,” wrote Congressman Moore. “It’s not right for Members of Congress to receive pay while our troops go unpaid and hurricane recovery efforts in Western North Carolina are stalled.”

By law, Members of Congress continue to receive their pay during a lapse in federal funding because their salaries are funded through mandatory spending, not the annual appropriations process. Additionally, the 27th Amendment to the Constitution prohibits any change to congressional compensation from taking effect until after an election. As a result, Members may only abstain from receiving their pay during a shutdown by formally requesting it be withheld.

Read Congressman Moore’s letter HERE.

Key Background:

• Congressman Moore voted in favor of a Continuing Resolution to keep the government open and funded.
• Congressman Moore also introduced legislation to continue FEMA disaster recovery efforts during the shutdown.