On the recordMarch 1, 2011
We don't diminish, we withhold it during a period of a government shutdown or a failure to raise the debt ceiling. There is a reason we do it. It is very rare we have a government shutdown, but, in my view, and in the view of the cosponsors, this is a major function of our body and of the President--to avert a government shutdown. We don't think it is fair to treat some people differently than others. If other Federal employees are going to get their pay cut and your Social Security recipients don't get their checks, we think the Congress and the President ought to have a bite taken out of their pay as well.
