A growing chorus of veteran lawmakers in Congress are sharply criticizing House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for his evasiveness regarding his own pay during the ongoing government shutdown. The pointed questions center on whether he will forgo his salary while countless federal employees are forced to work without compensation.
Representatives Gabe Evans, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, and Tom Barrett, all Army veterans, have each pledged to donate their paychecks for the duration of the shutdown. Their decision stems from a deep concern for the financial strain placed upon American service members and federal workers.
The criticism ignited after Jeffries repeatedly sidestepped a direct question on CNN regarding his intentions. When asked if he would defer his paycheck, he responded with vague statements about “commenting shortly” and conducting himself “accordingly” given the sacrifices of others.
Representative Evans, a former Black Hawk helicopter pilot, labeled Jeffries’ response an “insult to Americans,” accusing him and his colleagues of irresponsible legislating and a disconnect from the people they represent. He emphasized the real-world impact of the shutdown, stating he, like many, lives paycheck to paycheck.
Evans further explained his decision to defer his pay as a demonstration of solidarity with federal employees enduring financial hardship. He contrasted this with the Democrats’ apparent reluctance to commit to similar sacrifices while demanding a resolution to the shutdown.
Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Mariannette Miller-Meeks argued that if Jeffries genuinely cared about working families, a government agreement would already be in place. She highlighted the potential loss of SNAP benefits for 42 million Americans and the unpaid service of military personnel as stark consequences of the impasse.
Tom Barrett, a 22-year veteran, condemned Jeffries’ continued acceptance of a paycheck while the government remains shuttered, describing it as a sign of being profoundly out of touch. He accused the Minority Leader of prioritizing personal compensation over the suffering of the American people.
Barrett passionately asserted that this hypocrisy is precisely what drove him to Washington, calling for an end to the “rules for thee and not for me” mentality. He demanded Jeffries choose between compensating federal employees or foregoing his own salary, aligning himself with those bearing the brunt of the shutdown.
Requests for comment from Jeffries’ office have gone unanswered, leaving his position on the matter shrouded in continued ambiguity and fueling the growing discontent among his veteran colleagues.
