In Protest of Sequestration Lindsey Graham To Donate 20% of Salary

Sen. Lindsey Graham has been one of the few Republicans to oppose the sequestration, the budget cuts that have cost thousands of federal employees and federal contractors their jobs, including many here in South Carolina.

Many federal employees are being furloughed the equivalent of 20 percent of their pay. In support of those works and to protest the so-called “meat-cleaver” approach to budgeting that is the sequestration, Graham announced that he will donate 20 percent of his salary.

Graham had suggested that all senators join him and many have. So far, the only Republican to do so has been Mike Lee of Utah.

The annual salary of a U.S. Senator is $174,000 before taxes. Under the 27^th Amendment, Graham is required to be paid, so he will write a check out to two charities, the American Cancer Society and the Wounded Warriors program.

Graham said each organization will receive the same amount. 

According to a New York Times story, numerous other high-ranking officials, including President Obama, will also donate a portion of their salaries.

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