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Tulsa World editorial: Kevin Hern's refusal to keep his congressional pay during shutdown is selfless, patriotic; the rest of Congress should do the same

Tulsa World, Editorial Board

Washington, January 8, 2019
We congratulate U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern for his choice not to keep his congressional pay during a partial federal government shutdown. Every other member of Congress should do the same.

Congress and President Trump are at an impasse over $5 billion in funding for Trump’s proposed wall along the southern border. It has left the nation without a completed budget. Nonessential portions of the government have been closed since Dec. 21; other federal workers are on the job but aren’t getting paid.

It’s the third shutdown in two years and the 11th since 1980.

Whether the government is operating, the Constitution says Hern can’t refuse his Congressional salary. So he’s donating it to 10 veterans organizations. Hern says he won’t be cashing his paycheck until the problem is solved.

So far, Hern, a Republican in the 1st District, has donated about $5,000 that he doesn’t feel he should accept.

That’s a selfless and patriotic act. If we saw a little more selflessness and patriotism in Washington, and less parochial politics, maybe we could make some progress as a nation.

Hern also has signed on to a proposed constitutional amendment to stop Congressional pay during shutdowns that result from future budget stalemates.

That’s a good proposal, although we’d also include the president of the United States in the list of those who don’t get their check if the budget job doesn’t get done.

President Trump, a billionaire before he was elected, is already in the habit of not accepting his paycheck; but as a symbolic act, it’s still important. A budget requires the agreement of the legislative and executive branches, and no one should get paid until everyone does their work.

The budget stalemate is Hern’s first big political test since taking office, and we think he’s passed it.