Updated: 10 p.m. 4/07/2011

Charleston, W.Va. (AP) -- West Virginia's Congressional delegation is vowing to give up their salaries during any federal government shutdown.

Sen. Joe Manchin asked his colleagues in a Thursday letter to forgo federal pay if Congress fails to reach a spending agreement by midnight Friday.

Those signing on include Manchin's fellow West Virginia Democrats, Senior Sen. Jay Rockefeller and Rep. Nick Rahall. Rockefeller also advocates maintaining pay for the military during any shutdown.

West Virginia GOP Reps. David McKinley and Shelley Moore Capito, meanwhile, say they'll donate any shutdown pay toward the public debt.

Other Republicans called Manchin's letter political posturing. They noted that he, like many senators, are multimillionaires. But Manchin said citizens expect elected officials to lead by example and share any pain from a budget impasse.

(Copyright 2011 by the Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
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Charleston, W.Va. (AP) -- U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin said he'll give up his salary during any federal government shutdown. He's asking his colleagues to do the same.

The West Virginia Democrat sent fellow senators a letter Thursday asking them to join in his pledge to forgo federal pay. Congress must reach a spending agreement by midnight Friday.

Those signing on include Senior Sen. Jay Rockefeller. The fellow Democrat also advocates maintaining pay for the military during any shutdown.

West Virginia GOP Reps. David McKinley and Shelley Moore Capito say they'll donate any shutdown pay toward the public debt.

Other Republicans called Manchin's letter political posturing. They noted that he, like many senators, are multimillionaires. But Manchin said citizens expect elected officials to lead by example and share any pain from a budget impasse.

(Copyright 2011 by the Associated Press. All rights reserved.)