On Tuesday, in light of a possible government shutdown at midnight on Sunday, October 1st, 2023, U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01) sent a letter to Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Catherine Szpindor requesting to have his pay withheld until the government is funded.
Over the last eight months, Rep. Gaetz has consistently pushed for Speaker Kevin McCarthy (CA-20) to keep his January promise and bring individual, single-subject spending bills to the House floor to be voted on with open amendments to avoid a shutdown. However, because this has not happened, the nation is facing a possible expiration of appropriations at the end of the week. Rep. Gaetz has requested his congressional pay to be withheld until Congress does its job to end any such lapse in appropriations.
Full text of Congressman Gaetz’s letter to CAO Szpindor can be found HERE. Additionally, exclusive coverage of the letter by Daily Caller can be found HERE.
LETTER TEXT
Dear Ms. Szpindor,
It is my understanding that pursuant to the Constitution, members of Congress will continue to receive their pay during a lapse in appropriations. Therefore, I am requesting that in the case of a lapse of appropriations beginning at 12:00 a.m. on October 1, 2023, my pay be withheld until legislation has taken effect to end such lapse in appropriations in its entirety.
I appreciate your attention to this request. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact my office at (202) 225-4136.
Sincerely,
Matt Gaetz
Member of Congress
