WASHINGTON — President Obama has sequestered himself.
Obama will give back 5 percent of his $400,000 salary to the Treasury as a show of solidarity with federal workers facing unpaid furloughs due to “sequestration” budget cuts.
He’ll voluntarily return about $16,666 for the duration of the 10-month sequester period, which ends Sept. 30, the White House said, explaining he wants to “share in the sacrifice.”
The spending cuts automatically hit this year when Obama and Congress agreed to a budget that reduced federal debt, now more than $16.7 trillion.
Obama isn’t the only one taking a pay cut. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel also is giving up about 5 percent of his salary.
However, senators are slow to give up any of their $174,000 salary, despite passing a measure last month urging members to return 20 percent of their pay.
Of 100 senators, only five — Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) — say they are giving up some pay, according to a survey by The Hill.