WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-08) released the following statement regarding the partial shutdown of the federal government – including his intention to abide by his No Budget, No Pay proposal and reject his salary until a spending agreement is reached (letter HERE):

“My very first day in office, I introduced a massive government reform package that included, among many other things, a constitutional amendment prohibiting Members of Congress from being paid unless a budget is passed, a common sense measure to force the extreme partisans on both sides to do what every leader in every other aspect of society does: work together to build consensus and find common ground. FIX, NOT FIGHT.

My Legislation was the direct result of my time as an FBI Agent in the Political Corruption Unit arresting corrupt politicians, both Republican and Democrat. When you spend a career arresting corrupt politicians, you get a very clear sense for what is needed to fix the broken system. We need my reform legislation passed now more than ever.

I will be leading by example. I have notified House Administration that I will not accept any pay during any ‘shutdown’ period. And this is not merely ‘delaying’ pay, a gimmick adopted by many, but rather this will be complete forfeiture, in the spirit of my own legislation. And I am not only encouraging, but I am urging, all of my colleagues, both Republican and Democrat, to do the same. Let’s send a message to the extreme partisans on both sides: do your job or don’t get paid.

The brokenness in Washington DC is also Exhibit A of the need to expand the Problem Solvers Caucus in Congress, a bipartisan group who believe in building consensus and coming together for the betterment of our country, a group who rejects the tactics of the extreme partisans on both sides, a group who rejects those who put their party ahead of their country. The Problem Solvers Caucus is what will save our great nation.

We need constitutional term limits; we need a balanced budget amendment; we need no budget no pay; we need redistricting reform; we need to abolish congressional pensions; and we need campaign finance reform. AND WE NEED THEM NOW. These positions know no party lines. They are common sense American principals that address the root causes of the systemic problems in Washington.  They are common sense American principals that will save our country."