By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona Republican Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ06), Andy Biggs (R-AZ05), and Eli Crane (R-AZ02) have publicly vowed to forego their paychecks until the government shutdown, imposed by Senate Democrats, has been resolved. In contrast, Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego told NBC News he can’t afford to miss one, saying, “I’m not wealthy, and I have three kids… So it’s not feasible, not gonna happen.”
In a post to X accompanying a letter to Congressional Chief Administrative Officer Catherine Szpindor, Ciscomani wrote Tuesday, “If our troops, border agents, and air traffic controllers aren’t paid in a shutdown, Congress shouldn’t get paid either. I’ll withhold my pay. Period. But it should never come to this – Washington, specifically Senate Democrats, must do its job and keep the government open.”
Rep. Eli Crane’s office issued a statement, saying, “As many of you are aware, the federal government officially entered a shutdown yesterday. While the House of Representatives passed a funding extension through November 21, 2025, the measure still requires 60 votes in the U.S. Senate before heading to the President’s desk.
“Unfortunately, only two Democrats and one Independent currently support this effort, meaning the government will remain shut down until five more Democrats vote in favor of the bill.
“In the meantime, Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) has requested that his pay be withheld for the duration of the shutdown. He believes it is inappropriate to receive a salary while many Americans are furloughed or facing delayed paychecks.”
In a post to X, Biggs, amidst a campaign for Arizona Governor, also shared a letter to Szpindor, similarly asking that his pay be withheld, writing, “Members of Congress are no more important than American citizens. I’m asking for my pay to be withheld until the Democrats come to their senses and reopen the federal government. Many congressional Republicans made the same request. Our Democrat colleagues can’t say the same.”
According to NBC News, when asked about the vows from other members of Congress, Gallego responded, “I’m not wealthy, and I have three kids. I would basically be missing, you know, mortgage payments, rent payments, child support… So it’s not feasible, not gonna happen.”
Crane, alongside Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), has cosponsored a constitutional amendment designed to prohibit any congressional lawmakers from receiving any payment during future government shutdowns and would even prevent them from claiming back pay.
In a post to X, Norman was direct writing, “No back pay either!!” He also stated, “During shutdowns, federal workers are told to ‘do more with less.’ Meanwhile, Congress still cashes paychecks. That’s wrong.“
Rep. Ciscomani blasted Gallego’s response in a statement, saying, “Senator Gallego should be ashamed of himself. We represent thousands of federal government employees – men and women in our Armed Forces, the Border Patrol, air traffic controllers, and many, many others. They, too, have mortgage payments, rent payments, and child support. This shutdown isn’t ‘feasible’ for them, either. Senator Gallego’s response to this shutdown is an embarrassment. It’s selfish. He should be leading by example, not thinking of himself.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
