Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams gives victory speech in 4th Congressional District win at campaign headquarters November 19, 2018. (KSL File)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Utah’s newest congressional representative is in Washington in the middle of the partial shutdown, and he is facing his own uncertainty: he can’t get an apartment.
“I’m not able to get into an apartment until I have a pay stub, so right now I’m staying with friends,” said Rep. Ben McAdams, a Democrat representing Utah’s 4th congressional district.
He said there’s some stress within his family as they wonder what will happen if he keeps going without a paycheck. But he asked for his paycheck to be withheld because he says Congress should be in the same position as everyone else.
“It’s a minor inconvenience compared to what other people are going through,” McAdams told KSL TV.
Third District Rep. John Curtis, R-Utah, is also not getting paid. U.S. House members make $174,000 dollars a year.
McAdams is Utah’s only Democrat in Washington right now. He thinks there is common ground on the border but wants to see the government open first and then have the conversation.