Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC) has sent a letter to House officials requesting that her congressional salary of $174,000 be withheld amid the shutdown, according to The Charlotte News & Observer.
The request is a reversal for Ellmers, who earlier in the week told WTVD in Raleigh, N.C. that she would not be deferring her paycheck during the shutdown.
“I need my paycheck. That’s the bottom line,” Ellmers said. “I understand that there may be some other members who are deferring their paychecks, and I think it’s admirable. I’m not in that position.”
Ellmers fielded criticism for the remark and began backtracking on Friday telling CNN that she would consider deferring her next paycheck, according to the News & Observer.
Update: Read the letter to House officials here.
