Largest Federal Employee Union Calls On Democrats To End Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON — The largest union for federal workers urged Congress on Monday to pass a “clean” funding bill to end the government shutdown, undercutting Democrats who are demanding that any deal include subsidies for people who get their insurance through the Affordable Care Act.

The move by the American Federation of Government Employees, which is typically a Democratic ally, underscores the difficult spot federal unions find themselves in. Nearly four weeks into the shutdown, hundreds of thousands of workers are furloughed and missing paychecks, while some face the possibility of further layoffs by the Trump administration.

Everett Kelly, AFGE’s president, said in a statement that it is time to “put every single federal worker back on the job with full back pay.”

“Both political parties have made their point, and still there is no clear end in sight,” Kelley said.

The union’s new position, first reported by NBC, could put added pressure on Democrats to vote to end the shutdown after a monthlong stalemate over government funding in the GOP-controlled Senate. Republicans quickly seized on it to call on Democrats to back down.

“Even a union that backed Kamala Harris admits it: Democrats caused this shutdown. Pass the clean CR. Reopen the government!” Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) wrote in a social media post on Monday.

Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) read part of the AFGE’s statement from the lectern during Republicans’ daily press conference on Monday morning.

“And they’re right. It’s a national disgrace what Democrats are doing to good, hardworking people, to women, infants and children, who are just looking to this town and saying, ‘What are these Democrats doing?’” Scalise said.

Democratic senators have demanded that Republicans first agree to extend enhanced subsidies for millions of Americans enrolled in the Affordable Care Act that expire at the end of the year. Without an extension, health insurance premiums are projected to skyrocket for over 20 million Americans.

So far, Democrats have not been willing to settle for promises of future negotiations or a vote in the Senate on extending the subsidies. They’ve pushed for a guaranteed outcome with the support of House Republicans and President Donald Trump.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) didn’t seem to be backing off that position on Monday.

“I’m committed to immediately reopening the government in a responsible way that prevents the illegal budget actions Trump has taken — including against our federal workers — and stops Americans’ health care costs from exploding,” he said in a statement to HuffPost. “In the meantime I’m also working to immediately pay all our federal employees and prevent this Administration’s mass firings ... Donald Trump should spend less time traveling around the world, and more time negotiating an end to his shutdown.”

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), another senator who represents a large number of federal employees, also indicated that he isn’t backing down without protections for health care and the power of Congress to appropriate and direct government spending.

“Otherwise, what’s to stop this Administration from immediately firing federal workers and refusing to allocate appropriated funds to Virginia, as it has done since January 20?” Kaine asked in a statement.

A spokesperson for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Republicans need at least five more Democratic senators to join them in voting to reopen the government. Three members of the Democratic caucus have already done so: John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and Angus King of Maine.

It’s no surprise that federal unions oppose government shutdowns since they put their members out of work. But coming out against Democrats’ position is not an easy call for AFGE: The Trump administration has been decimating the federal workforce and trying to strip collective bargaining rights from up to a million workers. Plenty of federal employees have been eager to see Democrats stand up to Republicans and fight, even if it meant shutting down the government.

Arthur Delaney contributed reporting.