TN sent this in case you thought it was just a malicious rumor about them getting paid.. CNN report:
How much members of Congress get paid even during government shutdowns
So why have not both Houses been in session during the shutdown, you know, in order to get things ironed out in a responsible way? The Republican led Senate has for much of it. But not the House and instead many of the Democrat House, under Speaker Pelosi’s tutelage, attended a little getaway in Puerto Rico.
Because they are the intransigent ones we wonder why every Democrat House and Senate member has not chosen to forgo pay until the funding impasse is overcome.
That Congress is getting paid also means their staff is getting paid. Further the federal furlough does not include DC police. So what we are getting at is that Nasty Nancy’s letter to Trump declining the annual State of the Union address in the House chambers for security reasons or something is pure irresponsible vindictiveness.
We propose the following which is consistent with Article II Section 3 of the Constitution (The Executive Branch) — which reads in relevant part (bold our emphasis):
He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper. . .
Nothing says the address has to be given on a certain day but tradition holds to that part of January. Nothing says it has to be delivered in the House chamber, that is for convenience of attendees. So we would like to see Trump make sure to convene Congress so as to be in session on the day he plans the SOTU address. Leader McConnell should offer the Senate chamber.
Screw much of the peanut gallery. If need be add some folding chairs and or set them up in the hall way with an audio feed. That the Republicans might be the only ones that show would be great theater, but either way the Senate should offer the Chamber. R Mall
