Members of Congress have the choice to forgo their pay during the shutdown, but unfortunately for nearly a million Americans, that choice has been made for them. 
Two bills have been introduced to block congressional pay during the government shutdown and at least 121 members of Congress have refused their pay, but if the government remains shut down, does it really matter?
Lawmakers may be forgoing their pay, but as a result of the ongoing shutdown, 800,000 federal workers will remain furloughed and without pay; thousands of children will be without Head Start; and nutritional programs for women, infants and children could be disrupted.
Members of Congress have the choice to forgo their pay during the shutdown, but unfortunately for nearly a million Americans, that choice has been made for them.