Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN-03) announced Wednesday that he will forego his congressional salary during the government shutdown “in solidarity with hard-working federal employees who are working without pay or on furlough.”
“I have officially requested that my salary be withheld until the shutdown ends. I’ll divide my shutdown pay equally, and contribute it to 2harvest, CornerstoneMN, and VVAmerica,” Phillips wrote on Twitter, saying he would donate the money to three different charities, including one that works with victims of domestic violence.
In solidarity with hard-working federal employees who are working without pay or on furlough, I have officially requested that my salary be withheld until the shutdown ends. I’ll divide my #shutdownpay equally, and contribute it to @2harvest, @CornerstoneMN and @VVAmerica. pic.twitter.com/JDHhV4FYPO
— Congressman Dean Phillips (@RepDeanPhillips) January 9, 2019
It’s now well-known that Phillips is the heir to the Phillips Distilling Company, and has started several successful businesses of his own, including Talenti Gelato and Penny’s Coffee. His personal financial disclosure forms show that he has an estimated net worth of up to $77 million, meaning the average congressional salary of $174,000 is just 0.22 percent of his projected net worth.
His wealth was the subject of a November Star Tribune report, which showed that both Phillips and former Gov. Mark Dayton (D-MN) had at different points in time lived in the same $3.4 million Minneapolis mansion. Phillips reportedly bought the home from the Dayton family in 2011 for $3.2 million.
Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN-02) also said she won’t “accept a paycheck during this or any shutdown where federal employees are not being paid and services are limited to Americans.” Craig said she’ll donate her salary to Eagan Open Door Pantry and Wabasha Food Shelf.
I won't accept a paycheck during this or any shutdown where federal employees are not being paid and services are limited to Americans. I’ll be donating my salary to Eagan Open Door Pantry and Wabasha Food Shelf.
— Angie Craig (@RepAngieCraig) January 8, 2019
According to The Hill, there are at least 37 Democratic and Republican members of Congress who have asked for their pay to be withheld in protest of the shutdown or in solidarity with federal workers.
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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of Battleground State News and The Minnesota Sun. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Background Photo “Dean Phillips” by Dean Phillips.
