U.S. Sen. Katie Britt said Congress should not leave Washington for recess without passing funding legislation, accusing Democrats of prolonging a shutdown and backing a proposal to withhold lawmakers’ pay during funding lapses.
Appearing on Newsmax, Britt, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, dismissed the idea that lawmakers could depart for a two-week break without resolving the impasse.
“First of all, we’re not leaving if this doesn’t get done,” said Britt. “Lawmakers need to get ready to actually do their job.”
Her primary focus was funding for the Department of Homeland Security and its component agencies. Britt said Republicans are pushing to ensure the Transportation Security Administration, Coast Guard, Social Security Administration and Border Patrol are fully funded.
“Republicans are saying, ‘Let’s get this done,’” said Britt. “We wanna make sure that TSA is fully funded. Coast Guard is fully funded. SSA is fully funded, that we make sure that our Border Patrol agents are ready to protect our border and to take a look at the packages coming in, to do their jobs at our airport.”
During the interview, Britt was asked about comments from Senator John Kennedy suggesting Republicans consider advancing Homeland Security funding through the budget reconciliation process if negotiations with Democrats continue to stall.
Britt said her immediate priority is passing funding legislation through regular order but acknowledged reconciliation could again play a role. She credited President Donald Trump with previously pushing a reconciliation bill that “prefunded much of this,” giving Republicans “a little bit of opportunity” to pursue another measure if necessary.
Britt also expressed strong support for Kennedy’s separate proposal to stop congressional pay during government shutdowns.
“Here’s the deal. TSA should never be going without their paycheck while we are getting ours,” said Britt. “If we were to pass his bill, then I can guarantee you people would be much more eager to come to the table.”
“This fiscal year, TSA officers have gone without a paycheck for over 50% of their pay period,” said Britt. “That is absolutely absurd. They cannot pay their bills. They cannot pay their childcare, they cannot pay their wife’s cancer treatment. They’re having to sell plasma, and they’re having to sleep in their cars because it’s easier than getting back and forth, given the financial constraints that they’re under right now.”
“That is completely and totally unacceptable,” Britt continued. “These men and women come to work every single day to keep our country safe. And if we can’t get in here and do our job, we shouldn’t be receiving a paycheck while they’re not receiving theirs.”
Britt called for a vote on Kennedy’s proposal and said she wants the results made public.
“I want to see what those numbers are,” she said. “I want to see who votes yes and I want to see who votes no. I am sick of the rules for thee and not for me. And I think the American people are as well.”
If Congress were to pass a measure withholding lawmakers’ pay during shutdowns, Britt argued, “I don’t think we will have this problem in the future.”
