WASHINGTON – Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin) announced Monday he will donate his paychecks during the ongoing government shutdown to The Joseph Project, a faith-based job preparation initiative he helped establish in 2015.
Johnson’s pledge comes as the government shutdown entered its sixth day, leaving many federal workers furloughed or working without pay. While most federal employees are sent home during a shutdown, essential workers and active-duty service members are still required to work but will not receive a paycheck until the shutdown ends. Members of Congress are constitutionally protected and continue to receive pay during such closures.
Johnson is the latest wisconsin representative to refuse their salary during the shutdown.Last week, Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) and Representatives Tony Wied (R-8th District) and Glenn Grothman (R-6th District) also requested their pay be withheld.
The Joseph project provides a week-long job preparation training program connecting participants with Wisconsin employers.
“every day the shutdown continues, the check gets a little bigger – compliments of Chuck Schumer,” Johnson stated.
