By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Congressman Bradley Byrne, R-Montrose, sent a letter to the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives requesting that his Congressional pay be withheld until the government shutdown concludes.
Under current law, pay for Members of Congress is not tied to a government shutdown. The congressional staff, members of the military, and hundreds of thousands of other federal employees will not receive pay for the duration of the government shutdown.
Byrne’s office also announced that the town halls that were scheduled for 3:00 p.m. today in Frisco City and 5:30 in Bay Minette has been cancelled due to the shutdown crisis.
Byrne’s office announced in a statement, “Due to the ongoing government shutdown, Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL) will remain in Washington and will be unable to hold town hall meetings on Monday in Frisco City and Bay Minette. Efforts will be made to reschedule the town hall meetings for a future date. Announcements regarding other town hall meetings scheduled for this week will come at a later date.”
The Senate adjourned on Sunday without reaching any agreement.
The Senate is expected to vote on a C.R. funding the government until early February. Members of the House may then be asked to pass the Senate legislation.
Congressman Mo Brooks’, R-Huntville, town hall on Monday night is still scheduled the last we heard. Brooks said on social media Thursday: “Hope to see you this Monday in Decatur at Oak Park Middle School for a Town Hall Meeting. The public event is open Q&A, so I hope you will attend to join the discussion on important issues facing North Alabama and our nation.”
The Brooks town hall is scheduled for 6:30 pm in Decatur at the Oak Park Middle School.
Democrats in the U.S. Senate are refusing to fund the government to try to force Republicans to pass their DACA policy giving an estimated million legal status in the country, even though they came here illegally. Immigrants however are a powerful Democratic Party constituency.
The House passed a continuing resolution (C.R.) funding the government and the Children Health Insurance Program (CHIP); but most Senate Democrats, led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer are refusing to pass the routine C.R.s unless the President and the Republicans give them the protections for the dreamers that they are demanding.
President Donald Trump met with Schumer at the White House on Friday, but was not able to reach an agreement with the Senate Democrats.
*Update*: Due to the timing of votes in the House of Representatives pertaining to the government shutdown, the town hall meeting previously scheduled for 6:30 PM central time tonight in Decatur is CANCELLED.
