On the eve of another failed attempt by House Republicans to do anything resembling governance, Democratic Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota introduced the “My Constituents Cannot Afford Rebellious Tantrums, Handle Your Shutdown Act.” Also known as the “MCCARTHY Shutdown Act,” the bill would dock Congress members’ paychecks—one day’s pay for every day the government is shut down.
In her announcement of the bill on X (formerly known as Twitter), Craig wrote, “@SpeakerMcCarthy, my constituents shouldn’t have to pay the price for your deals with the Freedom Caucus. I introduced the MCCARTHY Shutdown Act to stop Member pay during government shutdowns. Stop negotiating with crazy & work with us on a deal to stop a shutdown altogether.”
In her press release, Craig stated, “Speaker McCarthy and House Republicans are ready to shut down the federal government and put the livelihoods of working families at risk – while still collecting a paycheck […] because it’s ridiculous that we still get paid while folks like TSA workers are asked to work without a paycheck.”
Congress has until Sept. 30 to reach a funding agreement and avert a shutdown. The only thing standing in its way is the House Republicans’ narrow—and toxic—majority.
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We did it! And it's all thanks to Molech! We're devoting this week's episode of "The Downballot" to giving praise to the dark god himself after New Hampshire Democrat Hal Rafter won a critical special election over Republican Jim Guzofski, the loony toons pastor who once ranted that liberals make "blood sacrifices to their god Molech." Democrats are now just one seat away from erasing the GOP's majority in the state House and should feel good about their chances in the Granite State next year. Republicans, meanwhile, can only stew bitterly that they lack the grassroots fundraising energy provided by Daily Kos, which endorsed Rafter and raised the bulk of his campaign funds via small donations.
