Washington, D.C. (WBEN) - Thursday marks Day 37 of the government shutdown, which is getting in the way of Congressman Nick Langworthy's Energy Choice Act.
"We have not been able to move any legislation," said Langworthy during an appearance with WBEN on Thrusday. "That bill should have been marked up, meaning prepare for passage on the main floor of the House. The Energy and Commerce committee was going to take it out of committee on Oct. 21. That has obviously been delayed. As soon as the government is reopened, we will have it marked up and get it out."
The Energy Choice Act is proposed federal legislation that would prevent state and local governments from banning or limiting the use of specific energy sources, like natural gas, in homes and buildings. It is a counter proposal to New York State's all-electric energy plan that begins at the start of the new year.
Langworthy says the government needs to re-open, not just for the Energy Choice Act, but for the greater good of the taxpayers of Western New York.
Americans have been feeling the brunt of the shutdown, with more than a million federal workers working without pay.
Langworthy says he has instructed the Clerk of the House not to pay him.
"I'll be damned if I take a paycheck while our federal law enforcement, TSA Agents, Air Traffic Controllers, other frontline workers and employees at the Veterans Administration are not getting paid. I couldn't live with myself if I was taking a paycheck," added Langworthy from his D.C. office.