[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 30 (Thursday, February 25, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H809]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMPARABLE TREATMENT OF FEDERAL WORKERS, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, AND THE 
              PRESIDENT DURING FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

  (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, in the past when we shut the Federal 
Government down, the government employees were not paid but Members of 
Congress and the President and the Senate of course were. So today I am 
introducing legislation to provide for comparable treatment of Federal 
employees, Members of Congress, and the President if there is a Federal 
Government shutdown.
  I think, in good conscience, if we are asking our Federal employees 
to suffer the consequences, then we in this House should, too. Maybe we 
would think more carefully about shutting this place down. If my 
colleagues believe, as I do, that it is only right and just that we 
also forgo our paychecks, then I hope they will join with me in asking 
Congress and the President to put our paychecks where our values are 
and not expect special treatment in the event we shut the Federal 
Government down. Show their support for Federal workers by cosponsoring 
my bill, which I intend to drop this morning. I look forward to the 
support of my colleagues.

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