DENVER — Members of Colorado's Congressional delegation on both sides of the aisle are giving up their salaries as thousands of federal government workers go without paychecks during the partial government shutdown.
More than 800,000 government workers are not receiving paychecks during the shutdown, which was triggered by a deadlock between President Donald Trump and Congress over funding for a wall on the Mexican border.
Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet tweeted that he would be donating his paychecks during the shutdown. A spokesperson for Republican Senator Cory Gardner said if federal employees are not paid and made whole, the lawmaker would donate his salary to charity. Neither has said which causes they will be supporting.
In the House, Republicans Doug Lamborn and Scott Tipton and Democrat Diana DeGette have opted to refuse their paychecks. A statement from Jason Crow's office said the Democrat would ask that his salary be withheld until Congress finds a solution "should this shutdown continue."
Representative Ed Perlmutter will continue to be paid, but he's offering some help to constituents who are impacted by the shutdown. The Democrat is offering breakfast and lunch to furloughed workers from his district office in Lakewood.
“Rep. Perlmutter doesn’t believe any federal employee should have their paycheck held hostage. The folks impacted by this shutdown don’t need nice gestures, they need their paycheck and food to provide for their families. That’s why Perlmutter is opening up his district office and offering meals and resources to those impacted during the shutdown,” Perlmutter’s Communications Director Ashley Verville said in a statement.
Representatives Ken Buck and Joe Neguse have not yet responded to our inquiries about what they plan to do with their pay during the shutdown, which is now in its 21st day.
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