As the federal government shutdown stretches into its third week, Alexandria’s congressman and Virginia’s two U.S. senators have all declined their salaries while approximately 13,000 federal workers in the city go without pay.
Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., announced he would have his pay withheld for the duration of the shutdown. During a telephone town hall, Beyer told a constituent that, while the 27th Amendment ensures members of Congress continue to be paid during shutdowns, he had requested that his salary be withheld in solidarity with federal workers.
Sen. Mark Warner’s office said he will donate his paycheck to charity in support of furloughed government workers.
Sen. Tim Kaine posted on X on Oct. 16 that he will not accept any pay until the shutdown ends. “I’m proud I secured guaranteed back pay for federal workers in the event of a government shutdown. But I know a paycheck deferred is not the same as a paycheck on time,” Kaine wrote. “That’s why, in solidarity with millions of federal workers, I will not accept any pay until the shutdown ends.”
In an earlier post on Oct. 15, Kaine said he has been “and remain, ready to work in a bipartisan way to reopen the government and fix Republicans’ health care mess.”
Alexandria is home to approximately 13,000 federal workers, part of the 147,358 federal civilian employees who live in Virginia. Northern Virginia is home to one of the largest concentrations of federal workers and contractors in the nation.
Congressional pay is set by law at $174,000 annually and is not subject to the annual appropriations process. Article I, Section 6 of the U.S. Constitution guarantees compensation for members of Congress.
Beyer joined other Democratic members of Virginia’s House delegation in sending a letter to the Office of Management and Budget clarifying that any threat to withhold back pay from furloughed federal workers would be illegal.
Warner and Kaine have also introduced the Federal Employee Civil Relief Act, legislation designed to protect federal workers and contractors from evictions, foreclosures, repossessions, and loan defaults during the shutdown, with protections lasting through the shutdown and an additional 30 days afterward.
The approach by Alexandria’s delegation mirrors actions taken nationwide, where members of both parties have announced plans to forgo pay during the shutdown. Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-Va., who represents Virginia’s 7th District, requested in late September that his congressional salary be withheld for the duration of the shutdown.
The shutdown began at 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 1 and continues as Congress remains deadlocked over funding negotiations.
The city of Alexandria is offering resources and assistance to residents affected by the shutdown, including help with housing, food, utilities, and childcare.
