Republican Sen. McSally Pitches Bill to Withhold Senate Pay Until Relief Bill Is Passed

Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ) on Tuesday proposed legislation to withhold Senate pay until Congress passes a bill providing economic relief to the American people during the coronavirus pandemic.

“If Americans aren’t getting paid, then neither should the Senators failing to support the workers and families who need help making ends meet,” McSally said in a statement.

“Today, I introduced legislation to have Senators’ pay withheld until relief is passed. It is despicable that millions of Americans are without a paycheck in this time of crisis, while the Senate wastes precious time playing political games,” she continued.

“The Senate must pass this relief package now in order to get cash straight to the people,” she added:

If Americans aren’t getting paid, then neither should we.

I introduced a bill today to withhold Senate pay until we pass the COVID-19 relief package. https://t.co/GnETwOpwx8 pic.twitter.com/IEIleFHZLY

— Martha McSally (@SenMcSallyAZ) March 24, 2020

If the Senate can’t come together in a time of great need, no Senator should receive a paycheck—like millions of Americans. If the urgent COVID-19 relief package fails again, I’m introducing a bill immediately to withhold Senators’ pay until Americans are put before politics.

— Martha McSally (@SenMcSallyAZ) March 23, 2020

Her bill came as Democrats effectively blocked a bipartisan measure providing relief to the American people through a variety of means, including forgivable loans for businesses and cash payments directly to Americans. The bipartisan teamwork, many GOP lawmakers say, blew up after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) flew into D.C. on Sunday.

She proceeded in introducing a measure of her own filled with a swathe of liberal pet projects, including ballot harvesting, climate initiatives, and “requirements for federal and corporate gender and racial diversity data.”

Members of Congress and the White House have reportedly struck a deal on a $2 trillion relief package, with details forthcoming.