Hildegarde

There is a law

Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019

They will get back pay. The law says they get back pay and these statements have not changed the law.

wealth in the context I used it is far more about accumulated wealth and savings rather than income. A junior congressmember hasn’t had that salary for long and could be easily coerced by a shutdown very quickly, if congressional pay was cut during a shutdown.

You’re right. The US already has the solution under the NLRA. If a union contract cannot be negotiated by the deadline, the old one remains in effect.

A proper government could do that, but I prefer kicking everyone out and starting anew.

Elections are run locally. You can get involved.

voter suppression. non proportional representation.

the pitifully low voter turnout is a systemic issue.

This is how it’s always worked.

If members of congress were not paid, the richer members could use a shutdown to coerce the poorer members, knowing that they have enough saving to survive the payment stop longer than poorer members. In a government where shutdowns are possible, continuing to pay representatives is necessary.

In a proper country, a shutdown would result in an immediate recall and disbarment of every elected official. But we don’t live in a proper country.

Continuing to pay those responsible for the shutdown is a bad thing. Punishing every other government worker for someone else’s ineptitude is bad. But on balance not paying congress would probably be just a bit worse.