Manchin to forego salary if government shuts down
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U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, III, D-WV |
By John Hingsbergen & Associated Press
April 7, 2011 ·
U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin says he'll give up his salary during any federal government shutdown and he's asking his colleagues on Capitol Hill to do the same.
The West Virginia Democrat sent fellow
senators a letter Thursday, asking them to join in his pledge to
forego federal pay if Congress can't reach a spending agreement.
Manchin says he'll donate his salary to charity or return it. Senators are paid $174,000 a year.
Manchin earlier supported unsuccessful legislation on this topic. He wrote that his pledge is not an
empty gesture.
He says citizens expect elected officials to lead by example and share any pain from a budget impasse.
Facing a midnight Friday deadline,
Republicans plan to vote Thursday on a one-week spending extension.
Democrats are seeking a longer-term solution.