The Senate on Thursday for the seventh time rejected a stopgap funding bill to reopen government through Nov. 21, pushing the shutdown past its ninth day.
Lawmakers in both parties have expressed an interest in avoiding that outcome for the armed forces, with Democrats floating legislative solutions that would ensure on-time pay.
In the Senate, some Democrats want to go further than just guaranteeing on-time pay for military personnel.
Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., said he would support ensuring on-time pay for the troops, but appeared to draw the line there.
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said he was reviewing various proposals to ensure military members do not miss paychecks.
On Thursday, some Senate Democrats stated that they would support civilian workers receiving their paychecks on a regular basis as part of an effort to guarantee that military personnel receive their paychecks on time, even if a shutdown delays operations.
On Thursday, the Senate rejected a stopgap funding bill to reopen government through November for the seventh time. 21 bringing the shutdown’s ninth day over. Even though the chamber might hold another vote on Friday, lawmakers are still not holding meaningful talks to open the government, and it looks like the funding lapse will continue into the weekend and into the following week.
Employees in the military and government sectors would have a portion of their paychecks withheld by midweek if the government remained closed for the days of the most recent pay period during which the shutdown was in place. Legislators from both parties have indicated a desire to prevent that outcome for the military, with Democrats proposing legislation that would guarantee timely compensation.
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., was asked in a letter signed this week by nearly 80 House Democrats. to raise the Pay Our Troops Act (H.), a bipartisan bill. R. 5401) for the vote. Last month, Rep. introduced the measure. R-Va. Jen Kiggans. would guarantee military personnel, civilians and contractors employed by the Defense Department, and U.S. S. All Coast Guard employees are paid on a regular basis.
The D-N, Hakeem Jeffries, is the House Minority Leader. Y. has backed efforts to guarantee troops receive their paychecks on schedule, which Congress also approved during the 2013 shutdown. However, Johnson has stated that he will not call members back for a vote on the bill, and the House is still in recess.
There are Democrats in the Senate who want to do more than simply ensure that military personnel receive their paychecks on time.
“Not just our military, but other national security, emergency, and public safety personnel,” Sen. D-Conn. Richard Blumenthal. remarked on the effort paid. Put another way, several of the various positions that are crucial to the main operations of our government. “”.
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore. proposed imposing a new tax on billionaires in order to generate funds for timely payment of air traffic controllers and military personnel during the shutdown. Legislators could “have a debate,” he added, regarding who else should be added to the list of employees who receive regular pay. Due to the possibility of working without compensation, air traffic controllers are beginning to call in more frequently than usual, according to the Federal Aviation Administration’s report on absenteeism this week.
During the shutdown, over 1.5 million civilian federal employees are working; the majority of them will not be paid until the government reopens. Currently, 620,000 more people are on furlough; they are legally entitled to back pay, but the Trump administration has threatened to withhold it.
Sen. D-Mich. Gary Peters. “Hopefully we can figure out a way that folks are not missing paychecks,” he said, adding that lawmakers are “having some discussions” about which workers they might authorize to receive immediate pay if the shutdown continues. “”.
“I want everyone to get paid, but I don’t want only the military to get paid,” Peters stated. “I want other government workers to avoid skipping their paychecks as well. TSA agents and air traffic controllers are here. Simply scroll through the list. “.”.
Not all Democrats supported the strategy. Sene. Gallego Ruben, D-Ariz. stated that he would back making sure the troops were paid on time, but he seemed to draw a line there.
About the civil servants who would continue to work for free, Gallego remarked, “It’s terrible, but we have to make decisions.”. In comparison to their civilian counterparts, military personnel frequently receive lower pay, he continued.
Sen. Kaine, Tim, D-Va. claimed to be examining a number of proposals to guarantee that military personnel receive their paychecks on time. Civil servants were guaranteed back pay, he said, but he acknowledged that they would not receive the same consideration.
Sen was questioned about the message it would convey if military personnel were paid on schedule but civilians’ paychecks were postponed. Durbin, Dick, D-Ill. “Not a good one,” he said. “.”.
While Republicans should engage in negotiations to reopen the government and guarantee that no one’s paychecks are delayed, a number of other Democrats refused to endorse immediate pay for anyone during a shutdown.
