Bernie Sanders Called Out on ‘The View’: Should Congress Go Without Pay During Shutdown?

The debate over Congressional pay during government shutdowns heated up on “The View” this week, as co-host Sarah Hines pressed Senator Bernie Sanders on a topic that’s resonating with frustrated Americans: Why do lawmakers keep collecting their paychecks while federal workers go without?

Hines didn’t mince words, pointing out the stark reality facing furloughed government employees. “It’s easier for politicians in DC to go away from each other and say, ‘We will win this way,’ while people are losing their paychecks,” she said. “If Congress just said, ‘We’re not going to take our paychecks till we figure this out,’ that would be a noble step in the right direction.”

Sanders, long considered a champion of the working class, responded with a dose of political reality. “Not everybody can afford to do that. You’ve got some young people there with kids,” he said, suggesting that for some lawmakers, skipping a paycheck isn’t so simple.

But Hines fired back: “Neither can the people that aren’t getting paid though.” The exchange highlighted a key frustration—while Congress debates, it’s ordinary workers who feel the pain.

Sanders, who’s well-known for his three homes and millionaire status, was called out for being insulated from the financial hit. “If your paycheck got delayed for a few weeks, you are a millionaire with three houses,” the segment pointed out. “You could sell the house in Vermont or the summer home that you have to have.”

While Sanders expressed some sympathy for younger colleagues with families, critics say the real issue is Congress’s priorities. “The people who vote to shut the government down, they’re vital. They’re essential. You schmucks working at the postal office or wherever else we’ve shut down right now, the parks, etc., etc., you’re not vital. You don’t have kids, he doesn’t really care,” the commentary continued.

The segment ended with a pointed reminder: “That’s a good point. That’s a good point. That’s a good point.” But for furloughed workers, good points don’t pay the bills.

Bottom Line:
As the shutdown drags on, the question remains: Should Congress feel the same financial pain as the workers they’ve sidelined? For many Americans, the answer is clear—and they’re waiting for lawmakers to step up and share the burden.