. . . that during a government shutdown, Congress continues to receive full pay and benefits?

As of October 1st, “non-essential” government employees were furloughed, without pay, for an indefinite period of time . . . until the Senate makes up its collective mind as to whether it’s okay to render medical insurance unaffordable for millions of low- to middle-income Americans.

As for the “essential” federal workers, they continue to work . . . but also without pay. This is because all of those loyal employees — legislative assistants, administrative assistants, maintenance workers, cafeteria workers, national park rangers, etc. — are paid in accordance with a budget that has to be renewed annually.

But Congressional members’ salaries are governed by Article I, Section 6 of the U.S. Constitution. And since 1983, they have been funded by a permanent appropriation outside of the annual budget.

So, while they sit and haggle over our current and future well-being, and send hundreds of thousands of people home without a source of income — and with the threat of permanent dismissal hanging over their heads, thanks to Donald Trump and OMB director Russell Vought’s latest diabolical scheme — those Senators have no clue as to how we feel when we have to wonder how long we’ll be able to put food on the table, make tuition and car payments, or hold onto our homes.

Thanks a lot, Congress. We’ll remember you at election time.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
10/4/25