On Monday morning, Senate Democrats faced a significant setback when the country’s largest federal labor union called for an immediate end to the government shutdown.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), representing over 800,000 government workers, issued a report urging Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and his team to support a bipartisan spending bill that has already passed in the House. Schumer, along with most Democrats, has previously rejected clean funding calls to reopen the government—this marks more than a dozen times. They’re anticipating another vote on a spending bill aimed at resolving what has become the 13th government shutdown.
AFGE National President Everett Kelly emphasized the need for a straightforward continuing resolution, stating, “It’s time to end this shutdown today. No half-measures, no gamesmanship. Let’s get all federal employees back to work, fully paid, now.”
Kelly continued, stressing that “it’s long past time for our nation’s leaders to set aside partisan politics and act responsibly.” He believes a strong America demands a functional government that meets its financial obligations and respects workers by paying them on time.
The AFGE, along with other federal unions, has been a key ally of the Democratic Party. Interestingly, despite previously endorsing Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, AFGE has also criticized initiatives aimed at reducing the size of the federal workforce.
Currently, the government shutdown has entered its 27th day, impacting many Americans who depend on federal paychecks or food assistance programs, like SNAP.
AFGE’s letter, initially reported by NBC News, came after many federal employees missed their first full paycheck due to the ongoing shutdown. As a result, numerous workers have had to take on temporary jobs and rely on food banks for sustenance.
Only three Democratic senators supported the recent bill for paying essential federal workers and military personnel during the shutdown: John Fetterman from Pennsylvania, Georgia’s Jon Ossoff, and Raphael Warnock.
With SNAP funding at risk of expiring in at least 25 states this week unless the government is reopened, Fetterman expressed frustration, saying, “Just open everything up and cut everything. I don’t care who’s winning, who’s losing, who blinks.”
In light of the union’s statements, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise remarked, “They’re right.” He criticized the Democratic Party for its handling of the situation and lamented the impact on vulnerable populations.
Nonetheless, Senate Democrats seem unyielding, continuing their push for extensions on expiring Obamacare subsidies and other progressive priorities as part of their negotiations to reopen the government.
Remarkably, only three Democrats supported the bipartisan spending bill, meaning Republicans would need the backing of five additional Democrats to meet the Senate’s 60-vote threshold and effectively end the shutdown.
Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky has routinely opposed such bipartisan funding initiatives, arguing they lack sufficient spending cuts.
A spokesperson for Schumer hasn’t responded to requests for comment regarding these developments.
