Murrieta, Temecula Congressmen Forgo Pay During Shutdown

U.S. representatives of Murrieta and Temecula will forgo their salaries in the wake of the partial government shutdown that has placed 800,000 federal employees on furlough.

"I do not believe that members of Congress should receive pay while the federal government is operating without appropriated funds," wrote Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona, in a letter Thursday to Dan Strodel, chief administrative officer.

"Until the House of Representatives, the Senate and the President work together to end the lapse in government funding, I ask that my pay be withheld," wrote Calvert, who represents the 42nd District, which includes Murrieta, Wildomar and Lake Elsinore among other cities.

Calvert in a Facebook post Thursday also wrote: "Earlier today I spoke on the House floor to urge Congress and President Obama to reopen National Parks, memorials, and museums. On a bipartisan basis, the House passed a series of bills today to reopen these American treasures and other federal agencies. I believe we have got to start talking and start negotiating to end the shutdown."

Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, whose 50th District includes Temecula, also intends ask that his pay be suspended and is cosponsoring legislation to restore pay to furloughed federal workers, The Press-Enterprise reported.