Congress still gets paid when it doesn’t do its job to keep the government running, which, no, makes no sense.
Virginia Democrat Eugene Vindman and a Pennsylvania Republican, Brian Fitzpatrick, have introduced a bill to block pay for Congress during a congressionally-forced shutdown.
Their No Pay for Congress During Default or Shutdown Act, of course, has no chance of passing, but still.
“The federal workers I represent know firsthand the disruptions and uncertainty that come when lawmakers fail to govern responsibly. Hardworking Americans understand that if you don’t do your job, you don’t get paid — and Congress should be no different,” said Vindman, a freshman congressman who represents the Seventh District, which includes portions of Central Virginia and Northern Virginia exurbs.
“I’m proud to work with Congressman Fitzpatrick on this bipartisan, commonsense bill that would encourage real cooperation, prevent last-minute crises, and ensure that lawmakers are putting the American people first,” Vindman said.
Kaine, Duckworth, Kim working to protect veterans
U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Andy Kim (D-NJ) have introduced the Protect Veteran Jobs Act, legislation that would reinstate veterans who were fired from their federal jobs as part of the Trump administration’s mass layoff of federal employees.
Veterans make up 30 percent of the federal workforce; it’s estimated that the administration has already fired more than 6,000 veterans.
“President Trump has fired more veterans in his first few weeks in office than any U.S. President. This is unacceptable. These men and women have made tremendous sacrifices in service to our nation, and now they are being kicked to the curb by a President who has previously called servicemembers and veterans losers and suckers,” Kaine said.
“Every one of my colleagues should be able to support this legislation that would reinstate veterans who were fired as part of the Trump Administration’s mass, indiscriminate firing of federal employees,” Kaine said.
Kaine backs bill banning high-capacity gun magazines
Tim Kaine joined 21 of his Senate Democrat colleagues to introduce the Keep Americans Safe Act, legislation to reinstate a nationwide ban on the sale, transfer, possession, import, or manufacture of high-capacity gun magazines that hold more than 10 rounds.
A federal law prohibiting semiautomatic assault weapons and high-capacity magazines was in place from 1994 to 2004, during which time mass shooting fatalities dropped by 70 percent.
“Bans on semiautomatic weapons save lives, proven by the previous ban that lowered death rates of mass shootings by 70 percent. The expiration of this ban, and the continued refusal by many of my Republican colleagues to reinstate it, is leading to preventable tragedies across our nation,” Kaine said. “I’m proud to introduce this commonsense legislation that will once again put in place this essential safeguard to make Virginia and our nation a safer place for all.”
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Chris Graham
