Where are Valley lawmakers? Action News tracks them down as the government shutdown drags on

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- With the authorities shutdown playing retired for the 3rd week, Action News pressed Central California's legislature delegation for answers connected Tuesday.

"No 1 wants to unopen down (the) government," Democratic Congressman Jim Costa of Fresno said.

He and chap Democrats Adam Gray and Senator Alex Padilla, arsenic good arsenic Republican representatives Tom McClintock and Vince Fong each agreed to interviews.

"There are large consequences with this national shutdown," Congressman Fong, who represents Clovis, said.

The interviews were straightforward, and Action News asked each the lawmakers the aforesaid questions with lone flimsy variations based connected their enactment and chamber.

First, however are they moving to money the government?

"I've got a measure acceptable to spell that could beryllium a bipartisan compromise that we tin walk time and get the authorities reopened. We could besides support people's healthcare," Congressman Gray, who represents Merced, said.

"What's the House doing? It's not wide to maine what much the House tin bash until the Senate acts," Congressman McClintock, who represents North Fresno, said. "Again, we passed the measure to support the authorities open."

The past clip the House voted connected thing was implicit a period ago, connected September 19. Republican Speaker Mike Johnson past canceled each different votes and sent lawmakers location connected a District Work Period.

Action News asked the delegation what they person been doing for their districts.

"We've been successful league truthful overmuch this archetypal twelvemonth that you know, we've got backlogs of folks astatine location that person requested a meeting," Congressman Gray said.

Congressmen Costa, McClintock, and Fong besides mentioned constituent meetings.

On Tuesday, each the lawmakers were backmost successful Washington arsenic they spoke to america from their offices.

"I've been successful DC each azygous week," Congressman Fong said. "I led our Honor Flight veterans present who were going to beryllium turned distant due to the fact that of the national authorities shutdown."

Over successful the Senate, lawmakers person taken up the aforesaid measure to money the authorities 11 times. Senator Padilla has voted against it each time.

"Health attraction costs for truthful galore people, not conscionable successful California, but crossed the country, is astir the spike," Senator Padilla told Action News. "Republicans privation to piecemeal reopen the authorities without addressing that precise urgent concern."

Democratic Senator Adam Schiff says helium is besides disquieted astir healthcare. He was unavailable for an interrogation Tuesday, but his bureau responded to immoderate of Action News' questions, telling america that helium has been "fighting ... to scope a deal."

"Senator Schumer and his colleagues connected the Democratic side, they person capitulated their full docket to the progressive left," Congressman Fong said.

Members of some parties are pointing fingers arsenic the shutdown squeezes the wallets of millions.

Federal workers are present forced to spell without wage done nary responsibility of their own. The hardship is impacting TSA workers, aerial postulation controllers, and adjacent staffers connected Capitol Hill.

But Senators and Representatives volition support getting paid, so, Action News asked our delegation if they personally merit a paycheck.

"I americium not collecting my paycheck, period," Congressman Costa said. "Let maine repetition that."

"I'm deferring it due to the fact that I couldn't look the TSA folks successful the oculus if I didn't," Congressman McClintock said.

"I've sent a missive to the House to marque definite that my paycheck is withheld until the national authorities is reopened," Congressman Fong said.

Senator Schiff's bureau told Action News that the legislator is withholding his pay.

Senator Padilla did not reply our question the archetypal time, truthful we asked it again.

"Look, it shouldn't person travel to this successful the archetypal place," Senator Padilla said. "Republicans should not person taken america into this authorities shutdown. All national employees merit to beryllium paid for their hard enactment and service."

Action News besides followed up with Congressman Gray, who is inactive getting paid but would enactment changing the instrumentality to a "no budget, nary pay" policy.

"You accidental that you don't privation to get paid, but person you told them to withhold your check?" Action News asked.

"No, I don't judge successful silly governmental gestures," Congressman Gray said. "The instrumentality is that Congress gets paid. It's successful the Constitution."

Congressman David Valadao, who represents Hanford, was the lone elected authoritative that Action News did not perceive from connected Tuesday. He was unavailable for an interrogation and did not respond to written questions.

The past connection connected Congressman Valadao's website is from the time the authorities unopen down 3 weeks ago.

For quality updates, travel Gabe Ferris connected Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.