Biden to Take Paycut Only if Employees Are Hit by Sequester

Exclusive: Vice President Joe Biden will take a paycut if members of his staff are affected by budget cuts stemming from sequestration.

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REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden in his office in Washington, January 11, 2013.

Vice President Joe Biden will take a paycut if members of his staff are affected by budget cuts stemming from sequestration, his office confirmed Friday afternoon.

“The Vice President is committed to sharing the burden of the sequester with his staff,” a spokesperson said.

Biden’s move mirrors that of Attorney General Eric Holder who has committed to forego the maximum amount lost Department of Justice employees. President Barack Obama and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel are giving up pay without precondition.

Many federal offices are trying to achieve the required mandatory spending cuts without impacting employee pay — a move that if true for Biden’s office could have him avoiding giving up any salary.

Biden isn’t nearly as wealthy as President Obama, who has made millions from his books. Biden’s estimated net worth is between $39,000 and $800,000 according to a Center for Responsive Politics analysis.