Shea-Porter: No Congressional Spa Until Shutdown Ends

U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter announced Friday that she is cosponsoring a bill aimed at closing Congress' members-only gym, spa and steamroom until the government shutdown ends.

Shea-Porter (D-NH) said the Shutdown Prioritization Act would remove the gym and spa from House Speaker John Boehner's list of "essential" House services.

"It is absolutely outrageous that John Boehner refuses to end the government shutdown but continues to give Members of Congress access to an exclusive spa," Shea-Porter said. "It’s ridiculous for Paul Ryan and John Boehner to keep this taxpayer-funded luxury open while New Hampshire families and business are denied access to their government."

She said members of Congress should not be able to access the taxpayer-supported gym, sauna, and steam room while tens of thousands of federal employees remain furloughed.

"How can Speaker Boehner decide that a steam room is essential but a paycheck for workers is not?" Shea-Porter said.