Democrats and Republicans in the US House of Representatives have agreed to retroactively pay 800,000 furloughed federal workers once the government reopens.
Six days into the government shutdown and workers are still sitting around waiting for good news from their employer. The House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill to pay those workers once money becomes available. The decision was a rare moment of cooperation between the GOP and Democrats at a time when ObamaCare has created one of the largest political divides in years.
The furloughed workers agreement is expected to clear through the Senate and be signed by President Obama.
The government shutdown marked the start of a political standoff which began on Tuesday, October 1, 2013.
In the past, Republicans have insisted on spending cuts in order to increase the government debt limit. In 2013 that focus has been centered on killing ObamaCare, a move the GOP says would equal the largest spending cut in our nations history. Republicans argue that government involvement will cause insurance premiums to skyrocket and put people out of work. Democrats note that insurance premiums have rapidly increased over the last decade without any type of Affordable Care Act in place.
To combat ObamaCare Republicans have added certain stipulations to current funding bills that would undercut the Affordable Care Act. Debt Ceiling bills have also attached ObamaCare stipulations. If the GOP and Democrats do not reach an agreement by October 17 the US will default on its debt payments.
Speaking to the Associated Press on Saturday President Obama said he does not expect to have to take any unusual steps to prevent the United States from defaulting on its debt. According to President Obama, “I don’t expect to get there. There were at least some quotes yesterday that Speaker Boehner is willing to make sure that we don’t default. And I’m pretty willing to bet that there are enough votes in the House of Representatives right now to make sure that the United States doesn’t end up being a deadbeat.”
We don’t know how long the government shutdown will last, but when it’s finished furloughed federal workers will receive the pay they sorely need.
