A Democratic member of Congress on Sunday submitted a bill which will close the Congressional gym and sauna during a partial government shutdown, accusing Republicans generally as well as House Speaker Paul Ryan specifically, of abdicating “their responsibilities as elected officials,” Fox News informed.
Rep. Bill Foster, D-Ill., introduced the Shutdown Prioritization Act (SPA) after the government shutdown Friday which resulted from President Trump’s inability to reach an agreement on funding for a border wall at the U.S.-Mexico border. Nearly half a million federal workers who are considered “essential,” are expected to work without pay, while nearly 400,000 government employees are being furloughed without pay.
“President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ refusal to pass and sign a clean continuing resolution to reopen government is an abdication of their responsibilities as elected officials,” Foster said.
Foster then criticized Republican leaders of supposedly deeming “the Congressional spa used by Members of the House of Representatives to be ‘essential’.”
He especially focused on House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., who has obtained a reputation for his rigorous workout routine.
“Speaker Ryan continues to use the gym during this shutdown while federal workers face uncertainty over the holidays. The only essential task Members of Congress have during a government shutdown is negotiating an end to the shutdown,” Foster continued. “It’s time to tell President Trump and Congressional Republicans to end their Congressional perks during a shutdown and focus on getting the government up and running. We need to get federal employees back to work and to provide funding for priorities important to the American people.”
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