WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Thursday rejected a partisan pay bill for federal workers. government shutdownBoth Republicans and Democrats are shirking responsibility as many workers are not expected to receive their first full paycheck this weekend.
Republicans opposed Democratic proposals for a voice vote on legislation to pay all federal workers and stop President Donald Trump’s administration from mass layoffs, with unpaid workers and law enforcement standing nearby. Democrats then voted 54-45 to block a Republican bill that would have paid working employees who weren’t furloughed.
The stalemate on the 23rd day of the government shutdown is due to a prolonged deadlock between the two parties, with neither side showing any signs of making concessions. Democrats say they won’t vote to reopen the government until Republicans negotiate it. Extension of expired subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. Republicans have said they will not negotiate subsidies until Democrats pass a plan to reopen the government. Trump is hardly involved and headed to Asia In the next few days.
Duel with bills to pay workers
A Republican bill by Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin would pay “exceptional” workers who must report to work during the current government shutdown and any future government shutdowns. Johnson said the bill would “forever end this practice of punishing federal employees for dysfunction.”
But Democrats say the bill is unfair to workers on involuntary furlough and could give cabinet secretaries too much discretion over who gets paid.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said ahead of the vote that Johnson’s bill is “just another tool for Mr. Trump to hurt federal workers and American families and keep this government shutdown going for as long as he wants.”
With most federal workers not expected to be paid next week, the Democratic bill would result in far more workers being paid.
“Everyone in this chamber seems to agree that federal workers should be paid,” Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., said before the vote. But “they are paying a price” because of the closures.
Essential services begin to decline
With Congress unable to agree on a way forward, funding for essential services could soon reach a crisis point.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Thursday that the message to air traffic controllers during the government shutdown is “come to work even if you don’t get paid.”
Duffy said air traffic controllers will not receive their full paychecks for the first time on Tuesday, and some are sometimes forced to choose second jobs to pay their mortgages and other bills.
“We cannot guarantee that your flight will arrive on time. We cannot guarantee that your flight will not be cancelled,” Ms Duffy said.
Federal food and heating subsidy payments also Head Start Preschool ProgramSeveral states have issued warnings.
open enrollment approach
Another approaching deadline is Nov. 1, the start date for open enrollment for people to take advantage of the marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act.
Democratic Party Negotiations continue with Republicans as it seeks to extend the subsidy that began in 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. expires at the end of the year. But once people start buying plans, any solution becomes difficult to implement.
Some Republicans are open to extending the tax credit with changes, and lawmakers from both parties are talking behind the scenes about possible compromises. But it’s unclear whether an agreement can be found that satisfies both Republicans and Democrats, or whether either leadership will be willing to make concessions.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (D) said Thursday that “Republicans have made it absolutely clear that they are willing to debate health care, except while government funding is held hostage.”
