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Rep. Lee Terry of Nebraska has decided to put his paycheck to a halt after controversy erupted.

Rep. Lee Terry (R-Neb.) apologized Saturday for previously refusing to give up his congressional salary during the federal government shutdown, deciding instead to have his paycheck withheld until the shutdown is over.

“The other day I made a statement that I would put my needs above others in crisis,” Terry said in a statement. “I’m ashamed of my comments. It was not leadership. It is not how I was raised… I apologize for my hurtful remarks when so many others are feeling the pain of Washington’s dysfunction.”

He continued, “I should and will stand in the shoes of the federal civilian employees who are furloughed. We share the same responsibilities to pay our bills and if they don’t receive a paycheck and must take extraordinary efforts and sacrifice to pay them, then I should too.”

Last week, Terry was asked by the Omaha World-Herald Bureau whether he would keep his salary for the duration of the budget standoff.

“Dang straight,” he replied.

The congressman said his colleagues who were giving up their salaries were largely doing so for the publicity.

“Whatever gets them good press,” Terry said. “That’s all that it’s going to be. God bless them. But you know what? I’ve got a nice house and a kid in college, and I’ll tell you we cannot handle it. Giving our paycheck away when you still worked and earned it? That’s just not going to fly.”

Over 800,000 federal workers are currently furloughed due to the shutdown. On Saturday, the House voted to grant backpay to these workers; however, the checks could be delayed for some time depending on how long the shutdown lasts.

READ MORE: HuffingtonPost.com

Article Courtesy of The Huffington Post

Picture Courtesy of Getty Images and The Huffington Post

Republican Apologizes for Not Giving Up Salary and ‘Nice House’  was originally published on wzakcleveland.com