WASHINGTON – Maryland’s Democratic senators voted Thursday against a Republican proposal that would provide back pay only to certain essential federal workers during the shutdown.
The Shutdown Fairness Act, introduced by Senate Republicans, would pay federal law enforcement officers, Border Patrol agents, air traffic controllers and active troops during the shutdown.
Democrats objected to this bill, instead holding out for back pay for all federal employees affected by the shutdown.
“The best way to make sure that federal employees – all federal employees – get paid, and that the American people get the benefits of their services, is to reopen the government and do it now,” Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, said during Senate debate.
Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, D-Maryland, added, “Our ask today is simple: pay them for the jobs that they were hired to do.”
Van Hollen introduced a different version of the bill, outlining back pay for the entire furloughed workforce. The True Shutdown Fairness Act also would prohibit firings of federal workers during a government shutdown.
If they are not working, they shouldn’t get paid!
Take unused vacation to fill the gaps… That is what I did – not knowing the reimbursement would come!
They had damn well better get every penny of back pay that they didn’t get while working their asses off with no pay, while congress sits on their asses and continued to get paid.
how about congress doesnt get paid till they settle
And Congress get NO back pay.