MacArthur declines pay during shutdown

Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-Toms River) says he won’t take a paycheck during the shutdown of the federal government.  It’s an election year gimmick for the wealthy MacArthur, but that doesn’t make it bad politics.

Members of Congress are considered essential personnel and continue to receive their salaries at a time when thousands of federal employees will not.

In a letter to House Chief Administrative Officer Phil Kiko, MacArthur has asked that his salary be withheld until “an appropriations agreement has taken effect.”