A Democratic lawmaker has introduced legislation to close the gym and sauna reserved for members of Congress during a government shutdown.
Rep. Bill Foster, D-Ill., announced the bill in a statement Sunday after the start of the latest partial government shutdown.
“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.
"During the Trump Shutdown, however, Republican leadership continues to deem the Congressional spa used by Members of the House of Representatives to be ‘essential.’".
The only essential task Members of Congress have during a government shutdown is negotiating an end to the shutdown,” Foster continued.
The government partially shut down at midnight Friday, and more than 420,000 federal workers who are considered “essential” will now work without pay during the shutdown.
Foster, who represents the 11th Congressional District of Illinois, is a co-sponsor of the Federal Employees’ Retroactive Pay Fairness Act which would guarantee back pay to federal employees after a government shutdown. »