Democrats Withhold Pay While Criticizing Trump Administration
During the ongoing government shutdown, Democrats have opted not to pay support staff and Capitol Police, yet they compelled them to work an overnight shift on Wednesday so two senators could criticize President Trump in an empty Senate chamber.
Senator Jeff Merkley from Oregon delivered a lengthy 13-hour speech starting Tuesday evening. His marathon session, which was still ongoing at the time of this writing, forced aides and Capitol Police to work through the night even though these employees did not receive their latest full paycheck due to the funding halt on Monday. Additionally, Capitol Police officers were expected to miss paychecks later that week.
Merkley’s speech targeted President Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard to Portland against the wishes of state and local leaders. He also claimed that there was no violence outside a nearby Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland, despite over 195 arrests happening there since June.
“Portland residents have reacted in a very unique way,” Merkley noted at the start of his discourse. “They’re demonstrating with joy and whimsy.”
Merkley then asserted, “They want to make it clear to the world that what President Trump is saying about the violence in Portland is simply not true.”
Joining Merkley later on the Senate floor was Senator Andy Kim from New Jersey, who spoke at 10 p.m. about the need to recognize the vulnerability of democracy.
Senate staffers encountered their first paycheck gap on Monday after Democrats consistently dismissed bipartisan funding bills passed by the House. If the shutdown continues without support from Democrats, many federal workers could find themselves without paychecks on Friday.
Both Merkley and Kim have repeatedly voted alongside Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to maintain the government shutdown during this 22-day funding lapse. Currently, only three members of the Democratic caucus are backing the government funding efforts, which is insufficient for the 60 votes needed to pass major legislation.
Republicans have criticized Merkley’s overnight remarks, arguing that it was unfair to demand that chamber aides and police work without pay while Democrats are refusing to fund the government. Senate Majority Leader John Barrasso called it absurd, stating, “Democrats are compelling the Capitol Police and support staff, who are not receiving pay, to work through the night while they give speeches commending them for shutting down the government.”
Meanwhile, senators, whose salaries are secured by the Constitution, received their paychecks on Monday. The Senate is set to vote this week on a proposal from Republican Senator Ron Johnson to compensate military and federal workers who continue to report for duty during the shutdown. However, Democrats are expected to filibuster this bill, even as some members have expressed the necessity that all federal employees receive their pay during the shutdown, despite having voted against reopening the government in the past.
Merkley’s comments come on the heels of other Senate Democrats holding vigils to protest the Trump administration, recalling how Senator Cory Booker made history earlier this year with an extensive speech condemning the president and his policies.
