Where are Valley lawmakers? Action News tracks them down as the government shutdown drags on
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- With the government shutdown playing out for the third week, Action News pressed Central California's congressional delegation for answers on Tuesday.
"No one wants to shut down (the) government," Democratic Congressman Jim Costa of Fresno said.
He and fellow Democrats Adam Gray and Senator Alex Padilla, as well as Republican representatives Tom McClintock and Vince Fong, all agreed to interviews.
"There are major consequences with this federal shutdown," Congressman Fong, who represents Clovis, said.
The interviews were straightforward, and Action News asked all the lawmakers the same questions with only slight variations based on their party and chamber.
First, how are they working to fund the government?
"I've got a bill ready to go that could be a bipartisan compromise that we can pass tomorrow and get the government reopened. We could also protect people's healthcare," Congressman Gray, who represents Merced, said.
"What's the House doing? It's not clear to me what more the House can do until the Senate acts," Congressman McClintock, who represents North Fresno, said. "Again, we passed the bill to keep the government open."
The last time the House voted on anything was over a month ago, on September 19. Republican Speaker Mike Johnson then canceled all other votes and sent lawmakers home on a District Work Period.
Action News asked the delegation what they have been doing for their districts.
"We've been in session so much this first year that you know, we've got backlogs of folks at home that have requested a meeting," Congressman Gray said.
Congressmen Costa, McClintock and Fong also mentioned constituent meetings.
On Tuesday, all the lawmakers were back in Washington as they spoke to us from their offices.
"I've been in DC every single week," Congressman Fong said. "I led our Honor Flight veterans here who were going to be turned away because of the federal government shutdown."
Over in the Senate, lawmakers have taken up the same bill to fund the government 11 times. Senator Padilla has voted against it every time.
"Health care costs for so many people, not just in California, but across the country, is about the spike," Senator Padilla told Action News. "Republicans want to piecemeal reopen the government without addressing that very urgent concern."
Democratic Senator Adam Schiff says he is also worried about healthcare. He was unavailable for an interview Tuesday, but his office responded to some of Action News' questions, telling us that he has been "fighting ... to reach a deal."
"Senator Schumer and his colleagues on the Democratic side, they have capitulated their entire agenda to the progressive left," Congressman Fong said.
Members of both parties are pointing fingers as the shutdown squeezes the wallets of millions.
Federal workers are now forced to go without pay through no fault of their own. The hardship is impacting TSA workers, air traffic controllers and even staffers on Capitol Hill.
Senators and Representatives will keep getting paid, so, Action News asked our delegation if they personally deserve a paycheck.
"I am not collecting my paycheck, period," Congressman Costa said. "Let me repeat that."
"I'm deferring it because I couldn't look the TSA folks in the eye if I didn't," Congressman McClintock said.
"I've sent a letter to the House to make sure that my paycheck is withheld until the federal government is reopened," Congressman Fong said.
Senator Schiff's office told Action News that the senator is withholding his pay.
Senator Padilla did not answer our question the first time, so we asked it again.
"Look, it shouldn't have come to this in the first place," Senator Padilla said. "Republicans should not have taken us into this government shutdown. All federal employees deserve to be paid for their hard work and service."
Action News also followed up with Congressman Gray, who is still getting paid but would support changing the law to a "no budget, no pay" policy.
"You say that you don't want to get paid, but have you told them to withhold your check?" Action News asked.
"No, I don't believe in silly political gestures," Congressman Gray said. "The law is that Congress gets paid. It's in the Constitution."
Congressman David Valadao, who represents Hanford, was the only elected official that Action News did not hear from on Tuesday. He was unavailable for an interview and did not respond to written questions.
The last statement on Congressman Valadao's website is from the day the government shut down three weeks ago.