Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) joined Americans for Prosperity in hosting a roundtable discussion with local leaders to address the damaging effects of the ongoing government shutdown and to discuss the importance of restoring regular order and implementing accountability in Congress. 

“This shutdown is unnecessary and harmful—not just in Washington, but to local economies, small business owners, and hardworking families across the Commonwealth,” said Rep. Wittman. “During this roundtable, we discussed how the shutdown is impacting Virginians, and the steps I am taking to promote accountability in Congress. On September 19th, I voted for a straightforward, short-term funding bill to keep the government open. A 60-vote threshold in the Senate is needed to pass a government funding bill. Yet, the Senate Democrats have repeatedly voted against this measure, prolonging this stalemate and causing more harm to American families. We must stop kicking the can down the road and return to regular order to provide certainty for the American people. To do that, Senators must come together to reopen the government.” 

Congressman Wittman has introduced numerous pieces of legislation to hold Members of Congress accountable for the budget process. 

• No Budget, No Pay Act: Withholds members’ pay until a budget is passed.

• Stay on Schedule Resolution: would require the House to stay in session through August instead of taking a month-long recess – if all government funding bills are not passed by the end of July.

• Inaction Has Consequences Act: would withhold Member pay if all 12 government funding bills are not done by the end of the fiscal year.

The Congressman is a cosponsor of the bipartisan Pay Our Troops Act to ensure members of the military are paid in the event of a government shutdown.