U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), the Senate Majority Whip, addressed the Senate prior to a vote on the Shutdown Fairness Act, sponsored by Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.). The proposed legislation aims to ensure that federal employees who are working during the ongoing government shutdown receive their paychecks.
Barrasso referred to the current situation as “Day 23 of the Schumer Shutdown,” criticizing Senate Democrats for not supporting efforts to reopen the government and pay essential workers such as Border Patrol agents, TSA agents, and air traffic controllers. He argued that these workers continue to perform critical duties without compensation due to political disagreements in Congress.
During his remarks, Barrasso stated: “Senate Democrats have a choice. Pay essential workers who are working right now without a paycheck. Or send them into the weekend with empty bank accounts and bills they cannot pay. If Democrats vote no, it won’t be about fairness. It will be about politics.”
He further criticized Democratic leadership for what he described as prioritizing political leverage over relief for affected families: “Democrats are more concerned with playing politics than protecting working families. And for them, it has been a big game with working families suffering.”
Barrasso cited comments from House Democratic Whip referencing that some families would suffer during the shutdown but calling it “one of the few leverage times we have.” He argued that withholding paychecks and benefits is being used as leverage by Democrats to advance policy goals.
Barrasso noted that Republicans had offered a clean, bipartisan continuing resolution intended to reopen the government and compensate unpaid federal employees but said Democrats had rejected such measures multiple times.
He outlined that Johnson’s Shutdown Fairness Act would guarantee back pay for those currently working without compensation during this shutdown and any future ones, providing stability for employees in roles such as military service members, Coast Guard personnel, Border Patrol agents, ICE officers, air traffic controllers, TSA agents, and Capitol Police officers.
Barrasso concluded: “So, when Democrats stand up here today and criticize this bill, remember this. Senate Democrats have a choice. Pay essential workers who are working right now without a paycheck. Or send them into the weekend with empty bank accounts and bills they cannot pay. If Democrats vote no, it won’t be about fairness. It will be about politics.”
The Senate was expected to begin debate on the bill following Barrasso’s remarks.
