Democrats Torch Bill Allowing Trump to Pay a Favored Segment of Workforce

Democrats have blocked legislation proposed by a conservative Republican senator that would pay select federal workers — such as members of the military — during the government shutdown, arguing it would allow President Donald Trump to pick and choose who receives paychecks, Eric Garcia reported for The Independent.

Democrats have blocked legislation proposed by a conservative Republican senator that would pay select federal workers — such as members of the military — during the government shutdown.

The Senate voted 54–45 on the bill, introduced by Sen. Ron Johnson (R–Wis.), which sought to pay “excepted” federal workers — those required to keep working even while no paychecks are issued — on the 23rd day of the shutdown.

Democratic Sens. John Fetterman (Pa.) and Georgia’s Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, all facing competitive reelection races, joined Republicans in supporting the measure.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, recognizing the bill would not pass, changed his vote to “no” to preserve the option of reintroducing it later.

Most Democrats opposed the measure on the grounds that it would grant the administration too much discretion. “I would call it the ‘Let the President Decide Who He Feels Like Paying Act,’” Sen. Chris Coons (D–Del.) told The Independent after the vote.

“Would you trust Russ Vought to decide who gets paid and who doesn’t?” Sen. Mark Warner (D–Va.) asked. “The law is everybody ought to get paid.”

Reporting for The Guardian, Shrai Popat quoted Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer as calling the measure “a ruse.” Schumer said, “It’s nothing more than another tool for Trump to hurt federal workers and American families — and to keep this shutdown going for as long as he wants.”