An increasing number of lawmakers in the House are on board with the idea of giving retroactive pay to federal employees who are furloughed by the shutdown.
Legislation introduced immediately after the shutdown began by Jim Moran (D-VA) initially had 10 co-sponsors. That number has since been growing steadily. According to a recent article in TIME, Moran’s press office confirmed that by Wednesday night it is now up to 97 co-sponsors, including 8 Republicans.
“We all recognize that federal workers are an unintended consequence here. And they would be here working and taking their pay if they could. I support paying furloughed workers,” said Rep. John Fleming (R-LA).
Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX) added, “It’s regrettable—this government temporarily shutdown—so let’s get it open and let’s get the money back.”
