Rep. Chris Pappas introduces bill to hold lawmakers accountable during a government shutdown

MANCHESTER, N.H. —If lawmakers cannot reach a deal, the federal government is shutting down Saturday night, and a New Hampshire representative is introducing a bill to hold lawmakers accountable during a government shutdown.

Rep. Chris Pappas helped introduce a bill that would fine lawmakers an amount equal to a day's worth of pay for each day the shutdown lasts, in addition to holding them accountable.

"If the politicians in Washington aren't doing their work, then they shouldn't be paid to be on the job on behalf of the American people," Pappas said.

The bill was just introduced this week, so Pappas said like any other bill, it will take time to build enough support to get it passed into law, but he says a measure that could help prevent future shutdowns and hold politicians accountable in the process.

The clock is ticking and the House and Senate are working on separate proposals to fund the government, but neither bill has a clear path of passage, so now the immediate future of air travel, food assistance and federal paychecks is in question.

"We've waited too late in the game to prevent a shutdown this weekend," said Rep. Steve Womack of Arkansas.