House and Senate gyms open -- with no clean towels

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- The House and Senate gyms are open during the U.S. government shutdown, but lawmakers have to do without clean towels and other services, officials say.

For some House members access to the gym is a necessity, The Hill reported. They live in their offices when they are in Washington and shower in the gym.

Others say they just need to let off steam, even if they have to pick up their own towels.

"This job is very stressful and if you don't have a place to vent, you are going to go crazy and that's why I've used it all these years," said Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, who has been in Congress since 1973.

On the Senate side, Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., complained Monday that the gym has turned "rank." The four staff members who normally work there have been deemed non-essential and are off for the shutdown.