Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) is the latest Republican to request that his Congressional salary be withheld during the government shutdown, which began this week.
"Government shutdowns are costly, disruptive, and ultimately unproductive," Rep. Bilirakis said in a statement. "It is unacceptable for Members of Congress to receive a paycheck while dedicated federal workers – including members of our Armed Services- go without."
The Florida Republican announced that he has instructed the Chief Administrative Officer to withhold his salary, adding that his colleagues in the Senate should "stop playing partisan politics and pass the clean Continuing Resolution we sent them. We must immediately reopen the government and return to fulfilling our responsibilities to the American people."
Representative Kat Cammack (R-FL) was the first to request her salary be withheld, sharing on X that "the Democrats want to shut down the government because we won't give them free healthcare for illegals. On top of that, they won't even pass a bill that protects our military or border patrol agents' pay in the event of a shutdown! So let's see if they are willing to give up their pay as well; I'll start."
Similarly, Representative Laurel Lee (R-FL) has also signaled that she will refuse pay until the shutdown is lifted, posting that "until the men and women who serve in our military receive their pay, I have asked not to receive mine either."
Meanwhile, Representative Cory Mills (R-FL) did not directly state whether he is forgoing his salary during the shutdown, but he implied doing so while announcing the introduction of a bill that would ensure the military receives their pay.
"If our troops don't get paid, neither should Congress," Rep. Mills shared on X. "While Democrats refuse to act in Washington, I'm focused on solutions."
He signed the Pay Our Troops Act, which will "ensure our military continues receiving pay during the government shutdown."
"Our servicemembers make incredible sacrifices — the least we can do is make sure they aren’t caught in the crossfire of a broken budget process," he noted, adding that "Washington may be dysfunctional, but my commitment to Florida's 7th District and our armed forces remains unwavering."
