FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Contact: Leigh Fifelski, 517-999-3646
LANSING – Citizens group Progress Michigan today launched a petition designed to force Congress to pass a federal budget and avoid a devastating government shutdown, by docking legislators’ pay during a shutdown.
“Politicians in Washington should live by the same rules as the rest of us – if you don’t do your job, you shouldn’t get paid,” said Progress Michigan Executive Director, David Holtz. “Social Security checks for seniors, veterans’ benefits, pay for hundreds of thousands of workers – all could be on hold during a federal government shutdown. Michigan voters can send a clear message to Congress: Michigan families are working harder and struggling more – it’s time for Congress to do its job.”
The “No Budget, No Pay” campaign urges Michigan voters to sign a petition that calls on Congress to pass a budget. It also voices support for a plan by Sen. Debbie Stabenow that would stop members of Congress and the president from getting paid during a government shutdown. Stabenow’s legislation also prevents them from receiving any back pay for work done during a shutdown.
Stabenow’s plan passed unanimously in the Senate, but House Majority Republicans have refused to act. Instead, they are playing partisan politics with the budget by trying to gut the Clean Air Act, cut education, and eliminate women’s health programs instead of compromising with the Senate and the President.
To sign the petition: http://nopay4congress.com/.
###