WASHINGTON, D.C. (WTXL) - Florida's newest Senator has co-sponsored a bill that would halt the pay of Congress during a government shutdown.
Rick Scott, a Republican senator from Florida who formerly served as the state's governor, has co-sponsored Senate Bill 39, aka the No Budget, No Pay Act.
Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) introduced the bill.
The bill, according to it's text, aims to keep Congress members from getting paid "after October 1 of any fiscal year in which Congress has not approved a concurrent resolution on the budget and passed the regular appropriations bills."
If passed, it'd become a law to stop Congressional pay until the government reopens. Scott is among 11 other Senators who have co-sponsored the legislation. If it is signed into law, it would go into effect on Feb. 1, 2021.
Scott's communication director told WPLG that he is donating his salary for the entirety of his freshman term.
Rick Scott says Congress should not be paid during shutdown
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Fox 4) -- Florida's newest Senator is already speaking out about the government shutdown.
Republican Senator Rick Scott released a statement Friday calling for Congress members' pay to be furloughed until the government shutdown ends.
“I’ve been a member of the United States Senate for three days, and it’s as dysfunctional as you think it is – probably even more dysfunctional. The vast majority in Congress say they want border security. The vast majority also say they want to open the government. So, of course, they won’t do either," he writes.
He says he is working with colleagues to make this happen as soon as possible. “The people of Florida deserve a government that functions. Period. And until that happens, Congress shouldn’t get paid," he says.
Scott was sworn in as Senator this month after two terms as Florida's governor, replacing Democrat Bill Nelson.
Scott is donating his salary for his entire term, as he did for his entire run as governor.
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