Democrat wants to block Paul Ryan's gym access during government shutdowns

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.’"

Foster not only singled out President Trump, but also outgoing House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis.

"Speaker Ryan continues to use the gym during this shutdown while federal workers face uncertainty over the holidays. The only essential task Members of Congress have during a government shutdown is negotiating an end to the shutdown,” Foster continued. “It’s time to tell President Trump and Congressional Republicans to end their Congressional perks during a shutdown and focus on getting the government up and running. We need to get federal employees back to work and to provide funding for priorities important to the American people.”

Ryan, 48, who is retiring at the end of his term in January when Democrats will take control of the lower chamber, has received attention over the years for his dedication to a rigorous workout program known as P90X.

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. Another 380,000 government employees are being furloughed and will stay home without pay.

The impasse resulted from the demand by Trump and his allies for U.S.-Mexico border wall funding in any spending package that reaches the president's desk.

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.