Senate Dems to Boehner: Strip lawmaker pay in case of shutdown

[ProSense]

Source: The Hill

Democratic senators sought to pressure House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to take up and pass a bill stripping lawmakers of their pay in the case of a government shutdown.

Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) wrote Boehner on Friday to ask him to take up a bill that unanimously passed the Senate earlier this week, which would prevent members of Congress from collecting a paycheck if the government shuts down.

"We believe there is no reason that Members of Congress and the President should be free from the pain that would be felt by our nation if the government were to shut down. If we cannot do our jobs and keep the government functioning, we should not get paid," the Democrats wrote in a letter to Boehner.

"We request that the House immediately take up and pass this legislation in the same bipartisan spirit demonstrated by the Senate," the pair added.



Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/147497-senate-dems-to-boehner-strip-lawmaker-pay-in-case-of-shutdown

[FSogol]

1. Strip Boehner of golfing junkets and free drinks from lobbyists in case of Govt Shutdown.

That might get his attention.

[Angry Dragon]

2. stay away from the weeping boner's junk

[No Elephants]

3. What is "something that no one needs to tell me twice--or even once," Alex?

[FSogol]

4. A dose of penicillin would cure most weeping Boehners.

:shrug:

[Angry Dragon]

10. that would be using government health care

He doesn't think government health care is needed

[SpiralHawk]

5. + 1,000

RepubliCronies luvs them their special boodle.

[No Elephants]

6. As though a multi-millionaire Senator--as they all are--misses a govt paycheck as much as a poor

senior or poor disabled person misses that tiny OASDI check.

I love Boxer, and stopping their salaries whenever they stop OASDI should be automatic, but let's be real, too.

[Inuca]

9. I agree it's symbolic, but

symbolism matters. Also, not all senators are millionaires (remember Biden?) + it would apply to congressmen as well, and they are definitely not all millionaires.

[No Elephants]

15. Senator Biden had something like 2.5 million when he had to disclose as a VP

candidate--and he was the poorest one. Besides, he is not a Senator now, so why is he even relevant to my post?

I never said it was purely symbolic OR that symbolism does not matter. I even said the halt should be automatic. Grandstanding/showboating and false equivalencies also matter, though. (Making the halt should be automatic would end possible claims of grandstanding/showboating, while retaining the symbolism--for whatever the symbolism is really worth.) anding/showboating .)

As far as it applying to Reps, I know it would, and I know they are not all multi millionaires (tho many are). However, the OP was about Boxer and she is a Senator.

My point was, missing a check or two has a very different impact on a senior or disabled person who has been struggling for a long time to survive on $1000 a month or less and is already frail from that effort and from the rigors of being poor and old or disabled.

Some who have no family or friend support system may sicken or die as a result of missing a check or two, or go homeless. Or they may have to borrow at unthinkable rates, a slower death.

Nothing like that is going to happen to even the most impecunious in the House as a result of missing a check or two, so I thought it important to put some perspective on it.

[Kingofalldems]

7. K and R

[HopeHoops]

8. Fuck that. Eliminate their pay and benefits until they get unemployment back down to normal levels.

What the fuck do they care about the unemployed? They get their ample salary for what? I wouldn't call it work. Work implies achieving something, creating something, being productive. The only thing the GOP is interested in is destruction. That's what best serves their owners - the big corporations.

Casey is my senator (the other one is a Santorum wannabe with the IQ of a turnip - no offense to turnips intended). I'm just about to write him in support of this idea. The big orange boner won't even let such a measure get to the floor, but it can't hurt to make a stink about it just to prove a point.

[Uncle Joe]

11. This is a good and logical move by the Democrats, kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, ProSense:thumbsup:

[Bandit]

12. Oh those poor fucking millionaires might miss a pay check.

:cry:

[florida08]

13. Good start

then make them pay for their own health insurance, pensions and ss protection. Then fine them for everday the government is shut down and send the FBI to their homes and arrest them. Too much? :evilgrin:

[Moosepoop]

14. No, not too much at all! In fact, it's

perfect!! }(