[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 14805-14806]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      GOV'T SHUTDOWN FAIRNESS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. MICHAEL G. FITZPATRICK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 30, 2013

  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to once again remind my 
colleagues here in the House, and in the Senate, that we are employees 
of the American people. Employees charged with operating a federal 
government that works for those people--our constituents.
  For lawmakers, a shutdown of the federal government is the ultimate 
admission of failure to do your job. Simply put, if we can't find a way 
to fund the government, than we shouldn't accept a paycheck. It's that 
simple.
  That's why I support the Government Shutdown Fairness Act which 
codifies just that.

[[Page 14806]]

  It is the primary responsibility of governing bodies, no matter how 
big or small: to pass a budget and appropriate tax dollars so the 
government can function. As a government shutdown is unacceptable to 
me, it's important to let the American people know that should it 
happen, Members of Congress won't continue cashing in while Americans 
pay the price.
  Americans know that getting paid should be tied to getting the job 
done. This legislation, like `No Budget, No Pay' says it's time 
lawmakers be held accountable. It is my hope this legislation will 
never have to take affect because no one should have to deal with a 
government shutdown.

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