Hudson Valley Politician Asks To Forgo Pay During Gov. Shutdown

A newly elected politician who represents the Hudson Valley wants his pay to be withheld until the partial government shutdown is over.

Download the Hudson Valley Post App

Congressman Antonio Delgado, D-Rhinebeck, announced on social media he will ask the House of Representatives Chief Administrative Officer to withhold his pay as long as the shutdown continues.

"Tomorrow, federal workers across the country and in upstate New York will miss their first paycheck due to the government shutdown," Delgado said in a video posted to social media on Thursday. "As someone who grew up in a working-class family in Schenectady, I understand what a paycheck means for a family, whether it's for paying for groceries or filling a prescription, paying the rent. No one should have to put their lives on hold because of our inability here to find common ground and reopen the government. It's simply reprehensible, particularly when so many people in this country are living paycheck to paycheck."

Delgado represents the 19th congressional district in New York. He's from Schenectady and lives in Rhinebeck.

This past November he defeated Republican incumbent John Faso. He was sworn into office last week, becoming the first African American member of Congress from upstate New York, as well as its first Hispanic representative, according to Chronogram.

On Friday, about 800-thousand federal employees impacted by the partial government shutdown missed their first paycheck.

Spot a typo? Let us know.