WASHINGTON – Senator Cory Gardner (R-Colorado) announced Wednesday he plans to introduce legislation calling for immediate payments to federal workers impacted by the shutdown.
The concept is to pay the 800,000 workers at their normal rate during the shutdown regardless of their furlough status.
Text of the proposal is not available at this time for News5 to review any details.
“We must reopen the government, and I will continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find a solution. In the interim, our federal workers should not be deprived of their paychecks,” says Gardner.
This morning Gardner voted in favor of both Republican and Democrat measures to end the shutdown.
The GOP and President Trump backed measure sough to end the shutdown by providing funding for a $5.7 billion border wall while also extending protections to “Dreamers” who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children. The measure failed in a 51-47 vote. 60 votes were needed for passage.
Democrats wanted passage of a House-approved measure that goes counter to the president’s desires in regards to funding. That measure failed in a 52-44 vote.
“It’s disappointing Senate Democrats are refusing to support the President’s reasonable compromise that would open the government, fund border security, and protect Dreamers,” continued Gardner.
RELATED: Sen. Bennet spars with Sen. Ted Cruz over government shutdown
