LaLota wants paycheck withheld until shutdown lifts, asks others to do the same

Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) wants his congressional pay withheld for the duration of the government shutdown. And he says Long Island’s two Democratic House members, Reps. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) and Laura Gillen (D-Rockville Centre) should do the same — because they didn’t vote for the GOP’s House-passed bill to keep the government funded.

“As someone who has worn the uniform and stood watch alongside the brave men and women of our military, I feel this action is the least I can do to honor their service as we continue to work for an expedited resolution to any funding lapse,” LaLota wrote to the House’s chief administrative office, in a letter dated Thursday.

LaLota posted that letter on X, adding that he didn’t cause the shutdown, “but I’m withholding my pay until the troops are paid.” He also jabbed that Suozzi and Gillen didn’t vote for the GOP’s stopgap funding measure, “and they should do the same.” He made no suggestion that fellow Republican Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport), who did vote for the Republican bill, should put his pay on ice.