On Friday, November 7, Senate Democrats rejected a Republican proposal to pay federal employees who continue working during the government shutdown.
Republican Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin sought unanimous consent for his bill, which would have guaranteed pay for federal employees and military personnel required to report for duty while the budget impasse drags on. Democratic Senator Gary Peters of Michigan objected.
“I’m concerned that Senator Johnson’s bill leaves President Trump with excessively broad discretion,” Peters said. “The administration would be able to decide on its own which public servants are paid, and when.”
Johnson voiced outrage, noting that he had made “radical” revisions to the bill in recent weeks in an effort to win over Peters and other Democrats. He said the measure was backed by dozens of unions.
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The objection angered Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota, who sharply condemned the Democrats’ stance. “This is a straightforward, common-sense way to fix the problem,” he said, his voice rising. “I don’t understand how you can look these people in the eye when this is about paying them not just for today, but for tomorrow, for the entire year, so they are no longer taken hostage in political games.”
Peters had taken part in bipartisan talks, but according to reports, those negotiations finally broke down on Thursday.