 "A view of the US Capitol dome, following a partial government shutdown in Washington, D.C., US. (Reuters )")
The United States’ largest union representing federal employees has called on Senate Democrats to end the ongoing government shutdown, which is nearing a month, by approving a short-term spending bill.
Describing the situation as an “avoidable crisis”, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) President Everett Kelley said the period for political brinkmanship had passed. “Both political parties have made their point, and still there is no clear end in sight,” he stated. “Put every single federal worker back on the job with full back pay — today.”
Union pressures Democrats amid growing financial strain
AFGE, which represents 820,000 federal and D.C. government workers and is closely aligned with the Democratic Party, has taken the unusual step of breaking ranks with Democrats. The move increases pressure on Senate Democrats to support the Republican-backed short-term spending measure that has been blocked for weeks.
The shutdown, now entering its fifth week, has prompted the union to demand the government’s immediate reopening under a continuing resolution. The House-passed stopgap funding bill, which would keep the government running through Nov. 21, has been defeated 12 times by Senate Democrats. They have insisted on additional funding to maintain COVID-era expansions of Obamacare subsidies and other Democratic priorities.
AFGE is now urging Senate Democrats to accept the Republicans’ proposal to negotiate health care issues only after the government resumes operations, without requiring a GOP pledge to extend the enhanced subsidies. The union’s appeal comes as many federal employees miss their first full paycheque and the US Department of Agriculture warns that funding for food stamps will run out on Nov. 1.