Incoming Dem lawmaker to donate pay during shutdown

Rep.-elect Max Rose (D-N.Y.) announced Monday that he will join those donating their congressional salary to charity during the partial government shutdown as the funding lapse is set to carry over into the new Congress.

“This shutdown is an insult to Americans who work their heart out every day because unlike Congress they can’t afford to act like children,” Rose said in a statement. “This isn’t a game and the President’s behavior has been an embarrassment. It’s time for us to do our jobs. As long as hard working families aren’t getting the paychecks they depend on, I won’t take one either.”

{mosads}The shutdown began on Dec. 22 as a result of an impasse over funding for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Negotiations have stalled in the ensuing days, and the partial shutdown will greet the newly Democratic-controlled House later this week.

Rose and other members-elect are set to be sworn in on Thursday, giving Democrats control of the lower chamber for the first time in eight years.

Shortly after the new members are sworn in, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), likely the next Speaker, is expected to bring up legislation to reopen the government. The package will include legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security through Feb. 8, keeping spending levels for border security at $1.3 billion, as well as legislation to fund other federal agencies with funding lapses through the rest of the fiscal year.

The House Democrats’ proposal was quickly criticized by House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), who has the ear of President Trump. The White House has wanted $5 billion for a border wall.

Rose, an Army veteran who defeated Rep. Dan Donovan (R-N.Y.) in the midterm elections, isn’t the only politician to say they will donate their pay during the shutdown. Multiple lawmakers from both parties have also announced that they will donate their salaries to charitable organizations or asked that their pay be withheld while federal agencies aren’t funded.

Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said that she thinks congressional salaries should be furloughed during the next shutdown.