Utah congressman wants lawmakers to not get paid during shutdown

Rep. Mike Kennedy, R-Utah, told reporters on Wednesday the federal government shutdown is a “terrible weapon” and it should never have happened.

The government shutdown started at 12:01 a.m. early Wednesday, and Kennedy met with reporters at the Utah Capitol that afternoon.

The “clean” continuing resolution passed by Senate Republicans has not garnered enough Democratic support to clear the chamber.

Meanwhile, the spending bill proposed by Democrats would add $1 trillion in health care spending, reverse Trump’s recently approved health care cuts and permanently extend Obamacare tax credits, as the Deseret News previously reported.

The Republican-sponsored bill is nonpartisan and “promotes government spending as it currently stands,” Kennedy said.

No Republican lawmakers voted for th