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Stauber to forgo salary during shutdown, donate to Duluth justice program

January 7, 2019

Congressman Pete Stauber will donate his salary during the ongoing federal government shutdown to the Domestic Abuse Intervention Program in Duluth.

"I strongly believe it isn't right for members of Congress to be paid while parts of the federal government remain shut down and thousands of federal workers are furloughed," Stauber said in a news release on Monday. "Rather than asking for my pay to be withheld and sending it straight back to the federal government, (my wife) Jodi and I have decided to give this money to those who need it most."

U.S. representatives make $174,000 per year, or $3,346 per week. Stauber acknowledged that going without his salary would be a "setback" for his family, which includes four children.

As a retired Duluth police officer, Stauber said he saw firsthand the work done by the Domestic Abuse Intervention Program, which helps local law enforcement, courts and women's shelters work together to end domestic violence. "I am pleased to contribute to their cause," he said.

The federal government has been shut down for 16 days, as of Monday, as President Donald Trump and Congress remain in a stalemate over the budget and the inclusion of funding for a proposed wall on the border with Mexico.

About 800,000 federal workers are impacted by the shutdown, many working without pay.

The Domestic Abuse Intervention Program could not be reached for comment.

Issues:Congress