{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://buchanan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/buchanan-refuses-paycheck-during-government-shutdown", "Buchanan Refuses Paycheck During Government Shutdown", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Vern Buchanan", "B001260", "buchanan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Congressman Vern Buchanan today informed House Chief Administrative Officer Philip Kiko that he would be refusing his congressional salary as long as the government remains shut down. \nI will refuse to accept any paychecks for as long as the federal government remains shuttered, said Buchanan. This is yet another sad example of Washington's dysfunction and inability to compromise.\nThe full text of the letter is below:\nDear Mr. Kiko,\nCongress has no responsibility more fundamental than to fund the day-to-day operations of the federal government.\nHowever, despite a government shutdown and a lapse in appropriations, members of Congress will continue receiving their salary. Therefore, I will refuse to accept any paychecks for as long as the federal government remains shuttered.\nThis is yet another sad example of Washington's dysfunction and inability to compromise. I hope leaders from both parties will stay at the table and reach a bipartisan accord.\nRespectfully,\nVern Buchanan\nMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://buchanan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/buchanan-refuses-paycheck-during-government-shutdown"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.33797200396657, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}