Congressman Beto O’Rourke is Tired of Congress’ Games

In a Facebook update on Congressman Beto O’Rourke’s page today, he vowed to donate all of his pay during the government shutdown to a veterans organization in El Paso, but he’s not stopping there.

Rep. O’Rourke (D-El Paso) is in his first year in Congress, but he’s already making big waves. Not only does he disapprove of the government shutdown, he’s aiming to tie Congressional pay to the government’s funding. That means if the government shuts down in the future, Congress doesn’t get paid. In a Facebook post he stated,

*UPDATE: GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN*: I am disappointed to report that the House tonight failed to take action to prevent a government shut-down. This is in an abdication of one of our most fundamental responsibilities to pay our bills and fund the government.

 

Rep. O’Rourke plans to introduce two bills H.R. 3215 and H.R. 3224 which propose Congress be included in furloughs when government shutdowns occur. He says,

Many of you have asked how I will be impacted by the government shut-down. My top priority is to fix this situation and have Congress fulfill our responsibility to govern. The current situation is unacceptable and I will continue to do everything I can to help resolve the situation. I remain hopeful that if the House is allowed to vote on the Senate continuing resolution, which funds the government at a very conservative level, we could pass it with a bipartisan majority and send it to the President to resolve this impasse. In the meantime, I want to let you know what I am personally doing.

As long as the shut-down continues, I will not accept my pay. I will be donating my entire pay for the length of the government closure to veterans’ service organizations (VSOs) in El Paso. I have also cosponsored two pieces of legislation (H.R. 3215 and H.R. 3224) that would tie Congressional pay to the government being funded.

If Congress does not do our job, we should not get paid. In addition, my staff will be furloughed without pay. In order to continue to serve El Paso, my offices will remain open, but at a reduced capacity. I will continue to use my Facebook page to keep you posted.

 

This isn’t the first time Rep. O’Rourke has proved he’s a breath of fresh air in Congress. Earlier this year, he honored two El Paso teenagers on the House floor for their outstanding sportsmanship on the basketball court.

 
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