WASHINGTON —
Freshman U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, who represents the 6th Congressional District that includes the North Olympic Peninsula, issued a statement Monday saying that he would give up his pay for the duration of a government shutdown.
Because members of Congress are paid automatically, Kilmer spokesman Stephen Carter said his boss would return whatever he is paid to the U.S. Treasury.
“I am dead set against a government shutdown because it will have serious effects on our economy and because many people rely on services provided by federal agencies,” Kilmer said in his statement.
“I believe in leading by example — if Congress can’t get its act together to stop a government shutdown, then I don’t believe members of Congress should be paid.”
Kilmer, a Port Angeles native, continued:
“The fact that some in Congress would risk a shutdown in order to score political points demonstrates why Congress is currently held in lower regard than head lice.”
