Gianforte Refuses Pay Until Troops Are Paid

Following Senate Democrats’ vote to shut down the federal government, Montana Congressman Greg Gianforte announced he will not accept his pay until the federal government reopens and America’s troops are paid.

 “Until our troops are getting paid again, I won’t get paid either” Gianforte announced.

“While I voted to fund the government, Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats voted last night to shut down the government. They have cut off health insurance for 24,000 Montana children. They have cut off pay for our troops,” Gianforte said.

“Until the government reopens and our troops are getting paid again, I won’t get paid either,” Gianforte said. “I am instructing the appropriate officials to withhold my pay until our troops are paid.”

It is not clear whether Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and other Democrats will ask for their pay.

Gianforte is cosponsoring the Pay Our Protectors, Not Our Politicians Act. The bill would make sure that America’s troops and national security employees within the Department of Homeland Security get paid during the shutdown. The bill would also stop Members of Congress from taking pay during a shutdown.

“Troops should get paid for their service to our nation. Period. Their pay shouldn’t be subject to the political games of politicians who would rather shut down the government than pay our troops. Instead, those politicians shouldn’t get paid. This is about having the right priorities,” Gianforte said.

“Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats have made their misguided priorities clear. They have put illegal immigration ahead of keeping the federal government open, paying our troops, and keeping 24,000 Montana kids healthy,” Gianforte said.

Gianforte voted Thursday for a funding bill that would have kept the government open. The bill would have also provided a six-year re authorization for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which 24,000 Montana children depend on for health insurance to cover their health care needs.

Dominick