Baumgartner urges reopening government, says he won’t take pay during shutdown

When asked about the federal government shutdown, Rep. Michael Baumgartner described it as "disappointing" and warned of near-term operational harms to services and workers.

"There really are no winners in a government shutdown," Baumgartner said. He cited air-traffic controllers and TSA agents working without pay and said SNAP benefit payments were at risk. He said he joined Republicans in voting to continue current spending levels to keep the government open while longer budget negotiations continue.

Baumgartner also said he personally decided not to take a congressional paycheck during the shutdown despite being eligible: "I have made the decision, to not take a paycheck during the government shutdown... if our troops are at risk of not getting paid, then I don't wanna get paid." He said the president found a way to keep members of the military paid but that many civilian workers remain unpaid.

Baumgartner said he hoped negotiations would reopen the government soon and described the shutdown as already the longest in the nation's history during the interview; he urged colleagues to find an agreement that keeps services running.