Senate Democrats Propose Federal Shutdown Pay Plan Amid GOP Opposition

Senate Democrats have proposed a new federal pay plan to address compensation for both furloughed and excepted federal employees during the ongoing government shutdown, countering a Republican bill that only ensures immediate pay to excepted workers. The GOP's Shutdown Fairness Act, prioritized by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, excludes around 700,000 furloughed workers from immediate pay, drawing criticism from Democrats who argue it grants excessive discretion to the president in designating essential workers. Meanwhile, Democrats, led by Rep. John Larson, have introduced legislation to withhold pay from members of Congress, the President, Vice President, and certain White House officials during shutdowns, aiming to impose financial consequences on lawmakers and executives during these crises. Senate Republicans are pushing a vote to pay military and essential workers to create divisions among Democrats and potentially end the shutdown, though Democrats remain firm in demanding extensions of Affordable Care Act subsidies. Political tensions are also highlighted by Democrats seeking a meeting with President Trump, who has conditioned talks on the reopening of the government, while the White House accuses Democrats of holding the American people hostage. This standoff underscores the ongoing battle over federal worker pay amid broader partisan conflicts over government funding and shutdown resolution strategies.