ND North News

Senate Democrats have voted against the Shutdown Fairness Act, a bill aimed at ensuring pay for federal employees required to work during government shutdowns. The legislation, introduced by Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), proposed that active duty service members, Coast Guard personnel, air traffic controllers, Border Patrol agents, federal contractors, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, federal law enforcement officers, and excepted employees in both the legislative and judicial branches would continue to receive their salaries during periods when the government is shut down.

Following the vote, Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) released a statement expressing his support for the bill and criticism of Senate Democrats’ decision. “Democrats are using the government shutdown to play political tug-of-war, but federal workers are not leverage, they’re hostages. We’re talking about law enforcement officers, service members, air traffic controllers, and many more. It’s time for Democrats to end their absurd obstruction and make sure essential workers can pay for housing and feed their families,” said Cramer.

The failure of the Shutdown Fairness Act means that certain federal employees who are required to work during a shutdown will not be guaranteed pay until an agreement is reached to reopen the government.