AUSTIN, Texas — Since the shutdown was announced on Dec. 22, more than 58 House lawmakers and 13 senators have either refused their pay of $174,000 annually, asked for it to be held, or announced they plan to donate it as the shutdown over the U.S.-Mexico border wall enters its fourth week.
Central Texas lawmakers who are included in that list are as follows:
- John Carter, R-Round Rock
- Dan Crenshaw, R-Houston
- Will Hurd, R-San Antonio
- Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land
- Chip Roy, R-Austin
- Van Taylor, R-Plano
- Roger Williams, R-Austin
Although Roy voted against back pay for furloughed workers, he said he will suspend his pay until current furloughed workers get paid.
Shortly after taking the oath on Jan. 3, Rep. Taylor tweeted that he has requested his salary to be withheld until Congress ends the government shutdown.
Rep. Crenshaw said via Twitter that he "cannot in good conscience get paid while federal employees' financial futures hang in the balance because of this partial government shutdown."
Hurd said via Facebook his pay will be withheld while he works to restore the government funding.
Congressman Carter released the following statement after requesting that his pay be withheld during the government shutdown.
“During the current government shutdown, Members of Congress will continue to receive their salary, while many of our brave federal law enforcement officers protect our nation without pay. I have requested that my salary be withheld until an agreement is reached to fund border security and reopen the government. It is beyond time for the Democrats to come to the table and negotiate with the President to address the growing crisis at the southern border and fund the government.”
Rep. Carter represents Texas District 31, which includes Fort Hood, the largest active duty armored military installation in the free world. He serves as co-chairman of the Congressional Army Caucus and Ranking Member of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Appropriations.
Olsen said on Twitter his pay will be withheld because "federal employees should not be held hostage to dysfunction & inability to solve the problem."
Rep. Williams said he will be donating his paycheck to a local charity in District 25 of Texas.
KVUE has reached out to Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. John Cornyn. This story will be updated when more information becomes available.