Federal workers are set to lose their full pay as the government shutdown continues

In the standoff over the government shutdown, Republicans tried something new, introducing a Senate bill that would pay salaries to some federal employees still on the job. Democrats blocked the move, arguing it excluded too many people. This comes as more than a million federal workers will lose their full pay on Friday. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports.

Jeff Bennett:

In the standoff over the government shutdown, Republicans tried something new today, introducing a Senate bill that would pay salaries to some federal employees who remain on the job. Democrats blocked the move, arguing it excluded too many people. That’s because more than a million federal workers who are working and furloughed will lose their full pay tomorrow.

Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins speaks with lawmakers and federal workers and joins us now.

So, Lisa, what have we learned today about how long this lockdown will last?

Lisa Desjardins:

We learned that the Democrats are not moving, but there may be some discomfort among some of them. In that vote that you described, there were three Democrats, Democratic senators, as you see them there, who voted with the Republicans. The two on the right are senators from Georgia, and previously, they had always stuck with Democrats on cloture votes.

Now, it was a matter of paying workers’ wages. However, Republicans see this as a sign that there may be some new votes to be had there. But other than that, there was no real change in the Senate itself. Now, by and large, Democrats are not budging.

We spoke with Speaker Johnson today. And he had a press conference. This is something that does not change either. He will not convene the House of Representatives again, adhering to that.

I was able to sit down with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries yesterday. And I have to tell you, he also seems a lot more determined and confident than I first saw him. So what’s the end result here?

If there are no dynamic changes, Jeff, as I sit here, this lockdown is going to continue, not just into November, but perhaps weeks into November and beyond.

Jeff Bennett:

And the fact that these federal workers are set to lose pay tomorrow doesn’t get any of these legislators’ attention?

Lisa Desjardins:

No, not for Democrats. Republicans hope this will be a pressure point.

But there is something unusual about this closure. While there are more than a million federal workers who will miss that paycheck tomorrow, for them, this is not their only existential challenge. I spent hours talking to them on the last day. And many of them talk about the response they want.

They see this as a response to what they feel has been brutal treatment and, in effect, an existential threat to the civil service itself. Now, many of them feel uncomfortable speaking in front of the camera. They are worried about retaliation.

But one of them, an NIH worker named Sylvia, let us use her voice.

Sylvia, certified federal employee:

Obviously, short-term pain is exciting. I’m really worried about that. But I feel like after nine months, if we don’t do something, nothing will get done. And hopefully the short-term pain is the kind of thing that allows for a vision of a more sustainable governance process in the long term, because I say that sometimes. It feels like a hostage seizure.

Lisa Desjardins:

Obviously there are some workers who are struggling with finances and will struggle with finances. But there are a lot of them saying right now that they think it’s worth the trade-off. This helps Democrats.

But Republicans see other concerns. Virginia’s Republican governor said today he is calling a state of emergency because food aid, SNAP, is running out. He says Virginia will pay for those. But Republicans want it as a leverage point.

Meanwhile, Jeff, I don’t need to remind you that the Affordable Care Act’s subsidies are about to run out. People will see their health care go up. So the pain will increase. Lawmakers have not changed yet

Jeff Bennett:

Members of Congress continue to receive their salaries during the shutdown.

Lisa Desjardins:

They do. This is constitutional.

Jeff Bennett:

Lisa Desjardins, thank you as always.

Lisa Desjardins:

You’re welcome.