In a recent turn of events, Senate Democrats have turned down a bill that would have ensured that U.
S. military personnel and some federal employees receive their paychecks during the ongoing government shutdown.
The bill, proposed by Republican Senator Ron Johnson from Wisconsin, failed to meet the Senate's 60-vote threshold, garnering only 54 votes in favor and 45 against. The voting pattern was largely along party lines, with only three Democrats, Senators John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff of Georgia, breaking ranks to support the bill.
According to Conservative Daily News, Johnson's Shutdown Fairness Act aimed to secure the salaries of military personnel and federal workers who continue to report to work during the shutdown. This includes employees from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), air traffic controllers, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. With the ongoing funding lapse, all federal employees are at risk of missing a paycheck this Friday.
In a video posted on Wednesday, Senator Fetterman stated, Im the guy thats going to consistently vote for country over party. Im always going to vote for paying our military over the party. Im always going to vote for paying the Capitol Police over my party.
However, Democratic Senators Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and Angus King of Maine, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, notably opposed the legislation. These two have previously crossed party lines with Fetterman to support Republican efforts to fund the government.
The Democratic opposition to the bill was partly justified by focusing on the federal employees who have been furloughed and not covered by the bill. Yet, this same group of Democrats has consistently voted against reopening the government 12 times, which would ensure all federal workers receive their pay.
Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts told the DCNF, This is a bill to let Donald Trump decide who gets paid and who doesnt. Thats not something were going to give to Donald Trump. Donald Trump thinks he is king and that he can decide how every nickel in the United States budget is spent. That is not what the Constitution says. She added, [If] we want to get federal employees paid, then the Republicans need to come to the table and reopen the government.
Republican leaders criticized the Democrats' decision to filibuster the bill, despite their expressed concern about federal employees going unpaid during the shutdown. Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, the second-ranking Senate Republican, said on Thursday, When Democrats stand up here today and criticize this bill, remember this. Senate Democrats have a choice. Pay essential workers who are working right now without a paycheck. Or send them into the weekend with empty bank accounts and bills they cannot pay. If Democrats vote no, it wont be about fairness. It will be about politics.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune also criticized Democrats for refusing to pay their own staff during the funding lapse, while lawmakers continue to receive their salaries. Thune has notably requested his pay be withheld during the shutdown, along with several other lawmakers.
The current government shutdown, now in its 23rd day, is expected to continue into next week. The Senate is not expected to reconvene until next Monday when lawmakers are expected to take up legislation to end the shutdown for the 13th time.
The bill's success hinges on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer reversing his stance on government funding. Senator Johnson told the DCNF, Thats pretty obstinate of them isnt it? Again, theyre such hypocrites. Go back to the last shutdown. Theyre saying, Go vote for a clean CR [continuing resolution]. This is unconscionable to keep the government closed. So here we are. We offer them a clean CR at President Bidens spending levels. They just wont take yes for an answer.
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