(WVEC) -- Elected officials pledged to donate their salaries during the government shutdown in January. 13News Now's VERIFY team researched if they followed through on that promise.
On January 20th, Congressman Scott Taylor tweeted "I will donate my salary to a military/veterans' charity each day. Today's pay will go to VetsHouse."
The following day Senator Mark Warner tweeted "If Virginians don't do their jobs, they don't get paid. Congress shouldn't either."
To verify the claims, 13News Now reached out to staffers of elected officials and requested receipts for these donations.
Rep. Scott Taylor’s office sent the PayPal confirmations for his donations. On January 20th, the receipt verifies he donated $295 to VetsHouse Inc. The next day he donated the same amount to End 22. Taylor's staff said they came up with the dollar figure by dividing his monthly salary by thirty days.
Sen. Warner's staff said he donated his salary to Fisher House. The Foundation helps military and veteran families when someone is in the hospital. A letter shows Warner gave $1,450.
Rep. Rob Wittman followed up with a tweet on January 22nd. In the attached video, he said he donated three days’ pay.
Documents from his office show he sent money to the SemperFi Fund and the Marine Raider Foundation, both help military families.
During the shutdown, a spokeswoman for Sen. Tim Kaine said he'd donate his pay to a charitable cause. Thursday, she told 13News Now's Verify Team Kaine donated that money to several organizations and his church. Kaine’s tax returns show the Senator gives regularly to charities.
13News Now reached out to Representatives Bobby Scott and Donald McEachin, who did not talk about donations during the shutdown.
A spokesperson for Rep. Scott said in a statement:
“During the three-day Republican shutdown, where the Republicans controlled the House, the Senate, and the White House, Congressman Scott was working every day to reopen the government. The approximate salary for Members of Congress during the shutdown was $1,500. The Congressman already gives more than that to charity each year, and he never considered earmarking any of those donations to the shutdown for political purposes. It is also worth noting that all federal workers either received their pay on time or subsequently received their full pay for the time the government was technically shut down.”
13News Now emailed Representative McEachin's press account and communications director. We have not heard back just yet.
Verdict: TRUE
The elected officials who pledged to donate their salaries followed through.