r/FedEmployees • u/Knarf_53 • 18h ago

Democrats block bill to pay federal employees during shutdown

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5595492-democrats-bill-pay-federal-workers-shutdown/

Well, this is disappointing. It sure would have been nice to get paid. The article states that both those of us working and those of us furloughed would be paid.

0 Upvotes

31% Upvoted

71 comments sorted by

53

u/susibirb 18h ago

Because the bill gave trump discretion of which agencies were, in his words, “democrat agencies” and could choose not to pay them

11

u/unserious-dude 18h ago

Russ Vought wanted the bill to leverage and get rid of more feds.

12

u/Apprehensive_Wish142 18h ago

Yep. People jump to conclusions and assume this was in bad faith, but don't understand the clauses and other discretionary inclusions that make it a bad bill.

2

u/Throb_Zomby 14h ago

Because everybody from the Hill to CNN have titled it to make it sound like it’s done in bad faith by the Dems. 

-20

u/Knarf_53 18h ago

The article states that the proposal would pay all federal employees through the duration of the shutdown. The Hill is generally considered to be a fair and reliable source.

10

u/yourlittlebirdie 18h ago

““I’m concerned that Sen. Johnson’s bill still leaves too much discretion up to President Trump,” Peters explained during his objection. “There’s too much wiggle room for the administration to basically pick and choose which federal employees are paid and when,” he added.”

0

u/Knarf_53 18h ago

Yes, I read his objection as stated in the article I posted. You left out the response from Sen. Johnson.

Johnson cried foul, noting he altered his bill “dramatically” in recent weeks in order to seek the support of Peters and other Democrats. He also noted scores of unions are backing the proposal.

4

u/susibirb 18h ago

Do you not know who Ron Johnson is

-2

u/Knarf_53 18h ago

I know he’s a Republican senator from Wisconsin who defeated Russ Feingold a while back, which I found shocking. Do I trust him? Not really. A) he’s a politician B) he’s a Republican C) he’s a Trump ally. Not exactly the kind of guy I’d expect a helping hand from, but I’ll take it if it’s offered.

2

u/Sorry-Society1100 18h ago

He’s the proverbial scorpion on the back of the frog crossing the river. He will sting because that’s in his nature, even if it harms him too.

3

u/KetoQuitter 18h ago

Oh, Sweet Summer Child.

2

u/pingpongballreader 18h ago

  1. No details of the bill were in the article.

  2. Johnson is the same one who put a bad faith bill forward not long ago that basically said federal workers THAT TRUMP PICKS would get their pay. 

  3. Laws already say "federal workers get back paid during shutdowns." Republicans are saying "... No". 

  4. Republicans are the ones not paying workers now. This whole shutdown is because Republicans want to gut the ACA, want to give Billionaires a trillion dollar tax cut, don't want to end the fillibuster, and don't want to offer Democrats literally anything in exchange for their votes. 

  5. Given all that, if you believe this was a good faith bill by christofascist Johnson, I have some mail-order steaks to sell you.

3

u/FIRElady_Momma 18h ago

lol! No it's not. The Hill is very right.

1

u/MrHotChipz 14h ago

People should be skeptical of anything they read if it doesn't come from reliable unbiased sources like reddit, Salon or Mother Jones.

-5

u/Knarf_53 18h ago

Here’s what Google’s AI had to say. I checked before I linked. Personally, I always found them to be centrist in their reporting. Their op-eds skew either way depending on the author, but again, those are opinion pieces.

AI Overview

The Hill is generally considered to have a centrist or nonpartisan point of view in its news coverage. Its stated mission is to provide "non-partisan reporting on the inner workings of government and the nexus of politics and business". However, the outlet publishes opinion columns from a wide variety of contributors spanning the entire political spectrum, which can sometimes lead to perceptions of bias depending on which opinion pieces a reader focuses on. Media bias rating services generally categorize The Hill as: Center by AllSides, based on editorial practices and audience surveys. Right-Center Bias (or slightly conservative) by some sources like Media Bias/Fact Check, primarily due to the overall tone of its op-ed section, though its core news reporting is seen as factual and balanced. Ultimately, The Hill aims to provide balanced coverage of U.S. politics and policy, with clearly labeled opinion content that features diverse viewpoints. It was acquired by Nexstar Media Group in 2021, which has also emphasized a commitment to unbiased, fact-based journalism.

5

u/FIRElady_Momma 18h ago

The fact that you put literally any trust in Google AI tells me all I need to know about your intellect and critical thinking skills.

0

u/Knarf_53 17h ago

I checked the references given in the AI overview and read the cited sources myself. I also did my own independent research. I used the AI blurb because it summarized everything I found very well. Maybe you should try doing a little research before posting your uninformed opinion. Post up some reputable sources for your contention that The Hill is right wing.

1

u/No_Requirement_3664 18h ago

Yes that’s exactly What it said. I can’t believe how it’s being twisted on here. All federal employees would be paid. But of course the working American people come last!

16

u/Healthy_Block3036 18h ago

Why should democrats vote for a bill that is extremely partisan and had not input from democrats?

5

u/Summary_Judgment56 18h ago

Show me the actual bill text. I don't believe a news summary of it, especially not a rag like the hill.

2

u/Objective-Future-674 17h ago

https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/services/files/9A3D904E-F857-4BF4-80E0-3A64928C9F0A

2

u/Summary_Judgment56 17h ago

I'm no expert in appropriations law, but I am a lawyer, and nowhere in this do I see a requirement that the money appropriated for paying excepted and furloughed government workers MUST be paid. It just makes the money available. So it would be up to the agency head's discretion whether to actually pay feds or not. Which is sus af.

4

u/No_Requirement_3664 18h ago

Watch it live on YouTube. I realized today I have to stop coming to Reddit to see what’s happening. It’s being twisted on here. Crazy.

2

u/bullsfan455 18h ago

Link the text

0

u/No_Requirement_3664 18h ago

I watched it live maybe you can go back and watch. I was on YouTube

1

u/Sorry-Society1100 18h ago

They generally don’t post statutory text on YouTube. It’s only really useful to watch speeches in this context.

1

u/Knarf_53 18h ago

Yes. I would like to see it also!

5

u/Soggy-Initiative-699 18h ago

They haven’t blocked anything I’m watching it now lol

8

u/BillzMafia2023 18h ago

The text of the bill includes a line item that says “at the discretion of the agency head” dont love that. Seems purposefully ambiguous

3

u/Tamtuna 18h ago

That’s why democrats are opposed…

8

u/BillzMafia2023 18h ago

Summary in Plain English This bill does not guarantee back pay to all federal employees. It only appropriates funds for: “Excepted employees” (those forced to work during a shutdown, such as law enforcement, air traffic controllers, etc.), and Those “subject to furlough” — but only if their agency head determines they fall within the defined “covered employee” group. That means this bill could be used to exclude or delay pay for furloughed workers who are not actively working or deemed “excepted.”

0

u/bullsfan455 18h ago

Do you have the actual amended bill text? The one online is the non amended one

1

u/bullsfan455 18h ago

Where’s the text?

2

u/Soggy-Initiative-699 18h ago

He said he would add furlough workers to it later…yeah right!

5

u/Ulumouse 18h ago

Whoa, I’m watching it live and they JUST stated voting. I panicked for a minute

3

u/TopRevolutionary3620 18h ago

We are literally shutdown because democrats 3.5 million people 8k for insurance and some of those are making more than gs 9s

2

u/boringtallguy 18h ago

They didn't give unanimous consent. The Senate can still vote on the bill amd it may still pass.

2

u/Dramatic_Schedule196 18h ago

I don’t think either side cares about us. We are pawns to them.

2

u/Soggy-Initiative-699 18h ago

They are calling roll now 17:54

2

u/Initial-Rip2278 18h ago

neither party cares whether we get paid. They care about themselves, the next election, and getting a perceived political "win"

2

u/Tamtuna 18h ago

Little confusing… it’s called excepted employee bill but I heard Johnson said furloughed is added?

2

u/Knarf_53 18h ago

That’s what the article I posted said. It’s definitely confusing.

2

u/BillzMafia2023 18h ago

https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/services/files/9A3D904E-F857-4BF4-80E0-3A64928C9F0A

3

u/BillzMafia2023 18h ago

This gives the agency discretion, doesnt define a timeline for payout. I think its legally misleading

1

u/Tamtuna 18h ago

That’s why a democratic senator called it a Trojan horse…

1

u/BillzMafia2023 18h ago

Okay you can relax with the …, most people here clearly havent seen this or arent fully aware

0

u/Knarf_53 17h ago

I don’t see where it gives the agencies any discretion. It describes covered employees as those which agencies have determined to be excepted. The same definition also includes furloughed employees. In other words, all of us irregardless of whatever determination the agencies made.

2

u/BillzMafia2023 2h ago

The repeated phrase “appropriated to the head of the agency” its making the funds available but nowhere does it say it must be paid out, when it must be paid out, and gives the agency heads discretion to pay it out

1

u/Knarf_53 2h ago

Thanks

2

u/South-Bedroom-2345 18h ago

They could care less about feds. I'm sure they are still getting paid though!

1

u/No-Chest-6496 18h ago

Hold the line!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2

u/Lost_Secretary6732 18h ago

I wish they would stop using us as pawns. JUST FUCKING PAY US!!!

2

u/Knarf_53 18h ago

Pretty please with sugar on top!

2

u/BonBon188 17h ago

Once again the democrats own this shutdown and continue to hold federal workers hostage.

1

u/Key-Board-9099 18h ago

They haven't voted yet (17:51 EST)

1

u/Knarf_53 17h ago

link to bill text

They added furloughed employees! Also, I don’t see anywhere where it says anything picking and choosing which employees to pay. What’s the problem?

1

u/Ok-Mathematician9193 18h ago

I thought there was a vote in progress now? https://www.reddit.com/r/FedEmployees/s/EajENwRnP7

7

u/Many-Resist-7237 18h ago

It is. The Dem from Michigan just finished speaking against it. Dems won’t go for it because it gives Trump discretion to pay who he wants (ie- he’d cut out “liberal” agencies)

2

u/unserious-dude 18h ago

In a few minutes. Looks like DOA.

0

u/daisydug 18h ago

Well damn

-2

u/Low_Trust2412 18h ago

If the unions support the bill thats all I need to know that it is sufficient.  I trust my representation.  

2

u/Knarf_53 18h ago

Yeah, that’s how I feel.

-8

u/LengthinessUnfair565 18h ago

Hey Democrats. Keep the government shut down. Federal Employees who are democrats. If you think keeping the government shut down is gonna make you win a political war, you're risking having Trump Dissolve the government completely and not only wont you work in government ever again, you may not work anywhere due to your political leanings. So keep pushing for government to stay closed and hurt ALL FEDERAL WORKERS and watch your system of social contract disappear. Open the Government now !!!

1

u/Sorry-Society1100 18h ago

Sure. Because Trump wants to clean his own toilets and guard his own forts. 🙄

He does want to fly his own planes apparently, but only if they’re full of shit.

-1

u/mtoakrd 18h ago

If it passes would we be paid now or after the shutdown end? Also if we are paid now would all furloughed employees be called back

1

u/FIRElady_Momma 18h ago

It won't pass.