Lawmaker Refunds U.S. Treasury for Shutdown Pay

New Jersey Representative Frank LoBiondo (R) wrote a $5,124.09 check Thursday to the United States Treasury, the sum of his pay during the 16-day government gridlock

With end of #govshutdown, just sent personal check for 16 days of my salary, deducting taxes, to @USTreasury. pic.twitter.com/NypvKM192L

— Frank LoBiondo (@RepLoBiondo) October 17, 2013

Keeping the money was unconscionable, LoBionda told ABC, who said he goes home every weekend and must be able to look his constituents in the eye. Rather than accept the 5 grand, LoBionda had a more fiscally conservative purpose in mind — reducing the public debt.

An accompanying letter to the check explained:

"The check is a repayment of my salary incurred during the 16 day period of the partial government shutdown and is to be used toward the reduction of public debt."

Two-hundred and forty-eight lawmakers promised to donate their pay or refuse compensation according to the Washington Post. These included Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.),House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio), Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.), House Majority Leader Eric I. Cantor (R-Va.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).