Though the Constitution requires that members of Congress be paid even during a federal shutdown, some U.S. legislators refused pay or chose to donate their checks.

Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Oklahoma) said in a social media post Thursday, Nov. 13, that he'd asked Chief Administrator Officer of Congress Catherine Szpindor to withhold his pay and instead committed to donating his backpay to several Oklahoma organizations.

"I'm thankful for all that these organizations do for Oklahomans and am grateful I could contribute to their mission," Hern said in the post.

This donation will go toward 10 organizations throughout Oklahoma that are working to help members of the community.

Hern represents Oklahoma's first district, which largely comprises the Tulsa metro area. Because of so, all organizations have a Tulsa metro area location.

• Soldier's Wish, 20701 E 81st St S, Broken Arrow
• VFW Post 577, 1109 E 6th St, Tulsa
• National Guard Foundation
• Eagle Ops Foundation, 302 E 5th Ave Unit D, Owasso
• Tulsa Fraternal Order of Police 93 Foundation, 12512 E 21st St, Tulsa
• Meals on Wheels of Metro Tulsa, 5151 E 51st St, Tulsa
• The Parent Child Care Center, 1421 S Boston Ave, Tulsa
• Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, 1304 N Kenosha Ave
• Food on the Move
• Tulsa Airport Improvement Trust