House military vets rip Jeffries for dodging question on pay during shutdown: ‘Insult to Americans’
Military veterans in Congress are taking House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to task for his reluctance to commit to forgoing his paycheck during the ongoing government shutdown, which has now extended into its fifth week. Representatives Gabe Evans (R-Colo.), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), and Tom Barrett (R-Mich.), all veterans of the U.S. Army, have publicly stated their intentions to forgo their salaries until federal workers, including TSA agents and other essential personnel, are compensated for their work. Their criticisms highlight a growing frustration among lawmakers who believe that those in leadership positions should demonstrate solidarity with federal employees who are currently working without pay.
During a recent interview on CNN, Jeffries was asked whether he would defer his paycheck in light of the sacrifices made by federal workers. His response was evasive, stating, “I’ll be commenting on that shortly,” which drew sharp rebukes from the veteran lawmakers. Evans, a former Black Hawk helicopter pilot, described Jeffries’ avoidance as an “insult to Americans,” emphasizing the disconnect between lawmakers and the citizens they represent. He expressed that while thousands of federal employees work tirelessly without compensation, Democratic leaders like Jeffries remain noncommittal about their own financial sacrifices. Meeks, a retired lieutenant colonel, further criticized Jeffries, suggesting that if he prioritized working families as he should, the government would not still be in a state of shutdown.
After facing mounting pressure, Jeffries eventually confirmed that he would forgo his November paycheck, although his office did not clarify whether he had accepted his paycheck at the beginning of October. The situation highlights a broader issue of responsibility and accountability among lawmakers during times of crisis. Barrett, a 22-year veteran, condemned Jeffries’ perceived hypocrisy, stating that it is time for leaders to align their actions with their rhetoric, urging Jeffries to either ensure federal employees are paid or to join his fellow veterans in foregoing his salary. As the shutdown continues to impact millions of Americans, the call for solidarity and responsible governance remains a pressing issue in Congress.
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EXCLUSIVE:
Military veterans in Congress are criticizing House Minority Leader
Hakeem Jeffries
, D-N.Y., for dodging questions on whether he will forego his paycheck as government workers go without pay due to the ongoing shutdown.
Reps. Gabe Evans, R-Colo., Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, and Tom Barrett, R-Mich., each of whom served in the U.S. Army, said they would give up their paychecks for the duration of the shutdown, citing concern for American service members.
The three took aim at Jeffries for delaying saying whether he would do the same.
As the
government shutdown
enters its fifth week, Jeffries was asked on CNN on Wednesday night if he would defer his paychecks during the shutdown in light of TSA agents and other federal workers having to work without pay. Jeffries dodged the question, saying, “I’ll be commenting on that shortly.”
While Jeffries’ office did not initially give a comment by the time of original publication, a spokesperson later told Fox News Digital that Jeffries would be forgoing his November paycheck.
On Friday evening, after taking criticism from Republican veterans for dodging questions on his paycheck, Jeffries answered, “I made clear to my constituents that my check will be withheld.”
The spokesperson declined to comment on whether Jeffries had taken his paycheck at the beginning of October.
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Just the day before, Jeffries told CNN, “I understand the sacrifice that people are making, including Capitol Police officers here, and I’m going to conduct myself accordingly given that sacrifice.”
To which the CNN host pressed, “So, that sounds like a yes, that you will defer your paycheck?”
Jeffries answered, “Well, I’ll have more to say about that shortly, but I think consistent with the values that I just articulated.”
In response, Evans, who served as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot, called Jeffries’ dodge an “insult to Americans” that “just reiterates their unserious and irresponsible legislating and proves how out of touch they are from those they are supposed to serve.”
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“As a
former cop and soldier
who still lives paycheck to paycheck, I understand firsthand the severity and impact that this Democrat-led shutdown has caused our country to endure, and is why I’ve chosen to defer my pay and stand in solidarity with every federal employee who misses a paycheck until the Democrats decide to work with Republicans to reopen our government,” Evans told Fox News Digital.
He added that “while thousands of dedicated and hardworking Americans continue to work tirelessly without a paycheck to keep America safe and running,
Democrats continue to be noncommittal
when asked about deferring their own pay amid the government shutdown.”
Meeks, who retired as a lieutenant colonel, told Fox News Digital that if Jeffries “cared half as much about working families as he does about his own salary, the government would already be open.”
“While 42 million Americans face losing their SNAP benefits and our troops go unpaid, Hakeem Jeffries is still cashing a paycheck,” she said.
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“Hakeem Jeffries is so out of touch that he thinks he should be compensated for shutting down the government and causing the American people to suffer,” added Barrett, a 22-year veteran.
“This type of hypocrisy is exactly what I came to Washington to fight against,” he said. “It’s time for him to drop this ‘rules for thee and not for me’ attitude and make a decision: pay our federal employees or pass on his paycheck like the rest of us.”
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Politics news.
