WASHINGTON, DC – In light of the government shutdown, Congressman Jeff Landry (Republican, New Iberia) announced he will refuse his salary until all military personnel are funded.

“Our nation owes its liberty to the brave men and women in our Armed Forces who risk their lives every day to protect our freedoms,” said Landry. “Our brave military deserve to be paid what is owed to them. Until the politicians in Washington do their jobs and fund our military personnel, I will refuse my Congressional salary.”

Landry, who served eleven years in the Louisiana National Guard, continued: “Yesterday, my fellow House Republicans and I passed a bill to fund our troops through the end of the fiscal year. Unfortunately, Harry Reid is refusing to consider the bill in the Senate and Barack Obama is threatening a Presidential veto. These decisions to put politics before our soldiers and their families is shameful; I will not be a part of such a disgrace.”

“I have instructed the House’s Chief Administrative Officer to hold my check until our troops get their checks. If our brave men and women in the Armed Forces don’t get paid, I won’t get paid,” concluded Landry.

In this government shutdown – 800,000 federal workers are expected to be furloughed. Government employees who continue to work, such as military personnel, will have their pay interrupted. The 27th Amendment to the Constitution bars the House from changing member pay until an election has interceded, but that does not stop lawmakers from refusing to accept their compensation.