If the TSA workers are being called into work, but not getting paid are the oil companies providing them free fuel to fill their tanks? Are the auto insurance companies waiving their monthly payments? And are the U.S. automakers allowing them to skip those monthly payments so the auto execs can benefit by flying safely?
1
def for Extortion: Law . the crime of obtaining money or some other thing of value by the abuse of one's office or authority.
Isn't extortion illegal? How can he get away with doing this?
3
Think this would be a good time for the Federal Employees to go on strike. You aren't getting paid anyways.
1
They are working without pay? Even if they are back-paid once this shutdown is over, there are costs to borrowing money or missing mortgage payments. Are they going to be reimbursed for these extra expenses? Why is there no general strike? No people demonstrating out on the streets? (As a European, I'm a bit confused. No way would people take this without a fight here.)
61
@Nimra
Federal employees are prohibited from striking. That is the basis behind this forced labor slavery imposed by trump.
8
@Nimra
Women and men will march this Saturday the 19th, but yes, a general strike is totally appropriate! I'll be marching Saturday, as I have since the election of 2016, but this year I will be joined by several friends, most are retirees, who have never marched and who would normally not consider such a thing.. Our country is being changed in ways this "president" never considered. 2020 can't come soon enough!
6
in America,people are in jobs like waiter as a day job until their break comes through. they have no commitment or identity or certainly pride in what they must do to squeek by. millions feel just one lottery ticket away from their dreams of riches. in a colossal boondoggle,Americans have been hoodwinked into believing they should side with the very rich as part of a plan to one day join them, as is their birthright. that's why they don't take to the streets like Europeans.
6
Who exactly is paying for this?
They currently are not getting paid.
How can they be brought back to work for free?
They need to strike.
74
I don't know about any one else but I am not flying when people at the airport are disgruntled and unpaid. They are not going to have their minds set on their jobs so much as how they are going to pay the rent. Changed my vacation plans from Feb to April hoping they will all be back to work before then.
Republicans listen to me I will not forget that it cost me a c-note to change my reservations and it is just plain un-American to force people into unpaid servitude.
81
@sandman338 AMEN! I am with you about flying, having worked for the airline industry years ago. IF this doesn't bring back more support for labor, I don't what will. This is horrible!!
2
Trump is putting the safety, health, and well-being of all Americans at risk with his silly build-the-wall tantrum. He is interested only in serving the whims of his masters at Faux News, and couldn't care less about the well-being of the American people. Impeachment is looking better all the time.
4
Trump is forcing federal workers at the FAA and FDA and other agencies to work without pay so that his voters won't feel the negative impacts of the shutdown. The workers who return, out of dedication or fear, only hurt themselves and their co-workers by enabling Republicans to prolong the shutdown. Labor should not let a crisis go to waste. All federal workers affected by the shutdown, including TSA, should announce that none of them will report to work on a given day in the near future if the shutdown continues. They should demand that none who participate be fired or disciplined. This could be a defining moment for the labor movement.
1
A Republican dream come true: make people work without paying them.
4
@PeterLaw; almost like the Democratic model of "pay people for never working" so many welfare programs, payouts for crossing our borders and the other programs that enable "baby momas" to grab our tax money for doing nothing but laying on their back and moaning.
Yesterday I arrived at JFK 2 hours early for a domestic flight. I did so thinking there might be delays getting through security due to unpaid workers calling in sick. Instead, not only was there not a line, TSA workers were waving everyone through the metal detectors. They did not even appear to be on.
2
I had an employer who wouldn't pay me. When I quit and he asked why, I told him it's very simple.
No pay, no play.
1
@Alternate Identity: government employees within a "public trust position" take an oath....loyal to Constitution, follow legal orders and remain in place until relieved. The civilian work force wouldn't understand that. A commitment to oath is part of the job....maybe you should contact your congressman and remind them their oath was to protect America.
2
I fear that many in Washington think the country will keep on running just fine without the Coast Guard, TSA, FDA, SNAP, inspectors, ATC, a lot of meteorology models, a good deal of science, and many more "little things" that we will unfortunately learn that aren't so little. Multiple interconnected systems are going to fail in ways that may not be so obvious until it is too late. All for a wall that can easily be tunneled under, flown over, and otherwise gotten through by the bad guys.
9
@Mike S. I fear that many in the USA think the country will keep on running just fine without a real president.
4
Yes 8 years of Obama proved that!
I think being forced to work without pay is called slavery. Didn't we get rid of that some time ago?
13
Perhaps there will be a few plane crashes. Small price to pay for MAGA. Quit complaining.
4
ear President Trump,
I would like to thank you personally for allowing me to take an unexpected vacation right after Christmas. I can certainly use some time off after a very hectic holiday. Yes, there will be some downsides. The Visa payment will have to wait. So will my rent payment...but hey, I know my landlord is a patient guy.
On the upside, I have been given the opportunity to learn a lot more about my home town. Did you know you can shop for free at my Food Bank? Also, people are leaving perfectly good clothing in big red boxes by my grocery store. A lot of people go there now and if you get someone to hold onto your legs, you can choose whatever you want right down to the bottom.
I am not eligible for Unemployment Insurance (being on furlough) but the nice lady at the food stamps place told me I will eligible for stamps in just 3 months or so.
The effects of your enlightened trillion dollar tax cut are really coming in handy. Even though I've not seen much change to my paycheck, nor have my co-workers, I did see Mr. Barlow, who is the CEO of our local chicken processing plant employing 1200 workers, share some of his tax cut with the poor brown guy who hangs out near our bank. I actually saw him give the fellow two dollars. Two dollars! He's never done that before. Sorta like Mr. Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. Boy, the shutdown is bringing out the best in all of us.
Once more, thank you Mr. President. You are making America Great Again.
Garth Garthson
Ky
15
your very own Mitch McConnell is more than complicit, Garth. the rest of us are stuck with him. only you can help rid us of this scourge.
1
This is Donald Trump’s doing, entirely. No one should ever forget that. He’d rather endanger the lives of millions of Americans than admit he lied about American taxpayers not having to pay for a wall, which only has minority support to begin with. He is essentially blackmailing the country in order to keep the support of his troglodyte base. Blood is on the hands of anyone who supports this despicable excuse for a president.
10
Not to worry- trump the man with the self proclaimed 'very good brain' will solve the problem.
4
So two-thirds of FAA workers STILL ARE FURLOUGHED!
And 100% STILL are not being paid, for some of the most stressful work that ensures the safety of the American public.
Are the Secret Service agents guarding the First Family being paid--the people who would take a bullet to protect the man in the Oval Office?
This is just idiocy.
Senate, demand to vote PRONTO AND END THE SHUTDOWN! Stand up to McConnell, as well as Trump.
8
Work without pay.. hmm like slaves? That is what it is.
3
The return to slave labor takes another step forward.
Another black day for the country.
3
if Republicans in Congress are so feckless they can't get it together to override the tantrum of the imperial presidency, why not join the President in his illegality and simply ignore the stupid shutdown distraction. don't cooperate, just call back the federal workers and pay them. if higher ups scream, see them later in court before the country is destroyed over a crisis made up to distract from the President's legal woes. this is dangerous and way beyond disgusting.
2
So Trump wins again. If we allow the government to selectively open agencies and force people back to work without ever calling an end to this so-called "shutdown", Trump will have effectively reduced the government to his and the Republicans' liking. You can be sure If TSA and FAA employees striked en masse there would be a quick end to this nonsense when it hits the pocketbooks of business travelers and owners of private jets.
3
Interesting concept to call up someone that is not working and not getting paid to come back to the job and still not get paid. Only in American or possibly Siberia.
10
I haven't been able to figure out how it is that the prez and members of Congress continue to receive their pay during the shutdown. They are clearly *not* essential workers. McConnell stops the Senate from carrying out their responsibility to the American people and the prez watches TV for hours a day and throws tantrums.
Guess it's these guys (sic), and not the furloughed workers, who are having great vacations. 'Cuz they get to do theirs on the taxpayers' dime.
4
This calls for a "By The Book Slow Down". Nothing gets done unless it's 110% BY THE BOOK. Let's see how many "tickets" they can write till they get paid.
2
@Pecos Bill
Why not refuse to work? It's called STRIKE, isn't it?
I think the planes should stop flying, the food should stop being inspected, the tax returns lie in a pile unopened, the labs shut. If this is what the Trump family and cult want, give it to them. Let border security happen rationally.
3
If my plane goes down next week because it wasn't properly inspected, someone please avenge me.
10
@Michelle Ditto for tomorrow.
So, eventually, everyone in the government will be working even though. it remains "shut down" indefinitely. Got it!
1
So now the Trump administration is violating the 13th Amendment? Time to call in the 25th.
7
How transparently disingenuous. It's alright for the voting public to fly in an aviation system stressed by the shutdown, but God forbid that members of Congress should have to expose themselves to such risk. This upcoming weekend is MLK weekend, a national holiday, which is followed by a one week recess for all of the nitwits in Congress. They obviously don't want to fly home or off to their vacations while the ATC system is operating under duress.
2
@Simple Truth Good point!
We really do get the government we vote for. Now federal workers are being treated like Trump contractor - lots of work for no pay
This is part of the republican plan to drown government in the bathtub
People should be outraged. Government jobs are good jobs with benefits.
4
No pay, no work. It's as simple as that!
2
Trump is desperate to hold on to his loyal base by fulfilling his signature campaign promise of building a mythical wall. The rallying cries to lock up Hillary, ban all Muslims from entering the country and repealing and replacing Obama Care were all failures. He understands his presidency is hanging on a thread. Will his loyal supporters abandon him if it is their own families affected by the shutdown? If the answer is no, then he can indeed commit a dastardly deed on Fifth Avenue and be exonerated in their eyes. This would clearly demonstrate the behavior of a cult mentality. There is no other explanation.
4
Again, expanding services making the shutdown look like shutdown-lite. Anything goes, legal or not, as long as it assuages Individual-1's voracious ego.
1
Since Mitch McConnell refuse to deal with this we should suspend his pay and that of the senate
9
McConnell has 26 million reasons that will not bother him.
2
I've cancelled all travel plans by air until the shutdown lifts. Even after that point, the system will be suspect to me so I'll stay out of that form of travel. Many people, however cannot cancel their travel plans because they are critical to their work needs. The long term effect of the shutdown on air travel will be felt long after the shutdown is resolved and that effect will expand to other businesses as well. I hope the situation will be resolved soon but I do not want to see Congress acquiesce to Trump's childish demand for his cookies before he stops screaming.
38
@SDowler
NOAA is shut down. But it is NOAA's data resources that make air travel possible. Even for the military.
Makes you wonder, what is actually shut down and what isn't?
2
At what point does the Trump administration deem EVERYONE essential and FORCE federal employees to work without pay. It's time for federal workers to strike.
4
The Perfect Storm is gathering. Trump is leading the way to the next major recession or even depression.
Nearly a million people either laid off or subject to partial slavery by forcing them to do work without compensation.
Creating financial crisis for both full time and contract employees who will start to loose property, homes and declare bankruptcy.
Global trade war.
The White House streams words and actions that create chaos, social and economic anxiety.
A bear stock market and financial market correction that has to happen simply to balance the 10 years of a bull market.
Economic disruption in Europe and Britain which will affect our financial strength.
Trump’s first and primary purpose is to create chaos. All of his steps have been to the goal of wrecking the economy and disrupting the nation.
2
@George Seely
But, Trump has not been working for Russia. He said so.
1
Wasn't slavery outlawed by this country?
How can anyone be forced to work without pay?
My multi-millionaire Senator, Steve Daines, has crowed that he has refused a paycheck until the government reopens, and called on his fellow representatives to do the same (and asks for donations since he is such a principled fellow).
But he has done nothing to intervene on behalf of the thousands of government workers who are standing by waiting to go back to work in my state (or worse, are being forced to work without pay).
What has happened to this country? Do we have no leadership left in Washington, DC?
Is it really only about fundraising at this point?
Will no one stand up against McConnell and Trump and get our employees back to work?
7
When I left Ireland on Friday after working there for a week, a colleague said, "I was hoping to visit New York this month as prices are quite low now, but I'm too afraid to fly into the US while air traffic controllers are not being paid." Bye bye tourism dollars. Can't blame her at all.
3
I think this whole thing is to get us used to limited government services and to get us used to the idea of working without pay.
4
We now have a real national emergency brewing. FAA and TSA employees working without pay which they need to live on are being overworked as others decide to stay home or seek other ways to pay their bills. If there is an airplane crash or terrorist incident because of an undue strain on our safety system, the buck will stop at Trump's desk. He is the President and needs to take responsibility. He said he would be proud to own the shutdown. Now he does.
5
Air traffic controllers were dangerously understaffed before the shutdown. Now no one should fly unless they absolutely have to go by plane.
2
Considering there is no appropriation for this work, isn't this a violation of the anti-deficiency act?
You can't spend money which hasn't been appropriated! That's illegal.
1
so what? President Trump commits high crimes and misdemeanors every day and there is no immediate consequence. legal niceties can be handled post facto. now, ignore the tantrum shutdown and get our government working for the people again, even if the chief executive doesn't see the need.
1
So Trump and sons want less government, which is why it is OK to shut down the federal government over his vanity wall, but only if that government isn't doing anything for them personally, like letting them fly safely - but we don't need the TSA agents apparently because public safety is only important when the President is the public. Since he never saw a salad he liked, food inspections can go, but get those IRS employees issuing his tax refund back to work. Once Micky D's runs out of hamburger meat due to lack of safe meat sources, all the meat inspectors will get back to work. Welcome to the kingdom of Trump, long live king Trump. Hope those of you who voted for Trump are happy. The rest of the country is not.
3
TSA and the air traffic controllers should walk out , when the billionaires are affected in Manhattan trying to fly out for the weekend you better believe this would be over quick
4
My husband is flying now, and will be on another flight tomorrow, and I'll be flying on Thursday; we will both be flying on Saturday. If this nonsense continues I will personally thank every person who is working without pay. I'll thank them even if the impasse is ended.
Mitch McConnell holds the key to ending this, and it is shameful that he's hiding out and refusing to allow the Senate to vote on bills they supported just a few weeks ago. Last night I volunteered to help with postcard campaigns in KY next year, to vote him out. Can't wait.
8
Why don't the FAA employees working without pay walk off the job en mass and shut down air travel foreign and domestic. Might think the government would re-open rather fast.
2
Well of course this is crucial for the safety of everyone. But what if they have to pay for child care and gas to get to work and do not have the money? What if they have managed to get some temp or side job that brings in a little real cash? I cannot imagine that that many would not have been doing something to put food on the table. So right pull those who found some other way of getting money off those jobs and make them work for no money. This is just heartless beyond belief. I wish all the government workers who HAVE to work for nothing would strike! The GOP is flaunting their arrogance so boldly. It ain't fair.
2
fair? you want fair? what has fair ever gained anybody? - Old Man Potter
Government shutdowns is one of the rationalizations for privatizing the FAA. If the functions of the FAA (mainly air traffic controllers and safety personnel) gets privatized then it would become immune to shut downs.
Republicans probably think they have the upper hand because their pet agencies - the ones that get a blank check from Congress - are never affected by shutdowns. Republicans are having it "both ways", they are not hurt by the shutdown. This is why they along with the president are so gleeful to hurt Democrats.
Maybe House Democrats should force the DOD to also shut down?
2
@Studioroom Privatization wouldn't solve the problem of payment. I work at the FAA and a substantial amount of the "employees" are actually contractors who aren't getting paid either. Many are being pulled off to work on other non-FAA projects and we don't know if or when they will be able to return.
And let's not forget the reason TSA was created was because the airlines did such a terrible job managing airport security on their own.
But you're right, Trump and GOP and hand picking who works and who doesn't.
I so wish there were a way to prevent members of Congress from getting paid during a furlough. I presume their staffers are but it would be interesting to see how office dynamics played out if they weren't. Most staffers get a pittance for a salary.
Pilot here. You can hear the frustration of some controllers on the air traffic control frequencies. I noticed it the other day. There was also an area usually covered by radar that was not, the reason that was given was a “radar outage”. But there was no corresponding notice to airmen from the FAA about the “radar outage” (normally there would be). This made me suspect a controller hadn’t shown for work (can’t blame them, they aren’t getting paid!).
Thousands of lives endangered because of an intransigent President.
3
Everyone not acting as a volunteer should be paid for their knowledge, skills, training, experience, and judgement.
Using the threat of dismissal the United States government has no right to force people to work without pay. We do not have a "civilian" draft. The arbitrary assignment of "essential" and "non-essential" roles is a fiction that does not stand close examination.
Two people are responsible for the "partial" government shutdown: Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell. Trump does not have the power to spend or divert money not allocated by Congressional authority. Nothing in the US Constitution specifies that the Senate Majority leader alone can decide not to bring legislation to a vote or have the right to shut down a government.
Their accomplices are the office holding Republicans who are engaged in a war of theft and stealth against the government of the people of the United States. Their actions are reprehensible and possibly treasonous.
Stop the shutdown.
Never let it happen again.
7
While I understand the FAA's reasoning, and I must approve of air safety, I'd rather see the FAA protect our safety by shutting down all "non-essential" parts of our air-transportation network, instead. I know that would cause much additional pain and anger, and that would be the point: For the good of our country, Mr. Trump and his Republican enablers/supporters in government need to experience some serious pain and anger from the American public. They need to be held accountable.
1
No pay, no work. It should be be as simple as that. Politicians should not be able to hold employees hostage to their jobs under these conditions. If not a strike, then surely a slowdown is called for. Same goes for TSA screeners, or any other federal employee who isn't being paid. Federal employees have a vote on the shutdown if they wish to use it.
35
@Chris G A strike is called for--and not only among federal workers.
Solidarity!
2
There will be more of this across the affected agencies until virtually no one is furloughed anymore. The previously-deemed "essential" employees can't keep up with more than a narrow range of their obligations. They begin to burn out (no pay and extra stress can do that) and the neglect of various obligations begins to have deleterious consequences. So, more are called back. But again, you have the problem of people being required to work without pay and the neglect of non-emergency obligations (until they become emergencies due to neglect). So, more come back. Rinse and repeat.
16
It will be difficult for even GOP-laden courts to rule against work slowdowns or even strikes by people compelled to work without pay. Thirteen Amendment, you know.
1
Every day I get more confused as to the goal of the 'government shutdown'. Those who we have elected to govern are not being directly impacted, it is the every day folks who are feeling the brunt of this (I can't even image being one of those furloughed or being forced to work without a paycheck). I checked and according to the US Dept of Labor 48 of the 50 states have requirements that employees must be paid at least monthly. But I bet as Federal employees they aren't covered. A true example of government non-ethics at it's finest.
13
Please more explicitly emphasize that these people are being recalled to work WITHOUT PAY. this is incredibly important. People need to understand how much of the government continues to work during this 'shutdown' which is the only reason so many more don't feel it AND need to understand that these people are being forced to do it against their will without pay.
96
Another excuse for indentured servitude. Who is picking up the tab for their ongoing expenses. Who will pay the increased interest they will owe on their credit cards. How many hours do they have to work?. Who will pick up their child care expenses, food on the table when they have no income? perhaps McConnell can give them interest free loans? Or the bank money lenders? All to feed a child's ego.....the cost of the so called wall is only a starting figure......why is our military doing civilian duty.
That is not part of the Constitution. Barr is shuffling and muffling so he can kneel to the man child. Where are the parents? The Senate, the House?
Let's build a steel wall around Marilago. Then trump will not be able to
see the rest of us, and best of all, we will not have to see him.
2
@Erin B
Excellent point, Eric, and you don't need to be a psychologist to know that people forced against their will to do something are not someone in whose hands you want to put your life.
1
@Erin B
Agree, however, those who receive government subsidies are are not getting them because these offices are closed are beginning to feel it. Those who voted for him have gotten less government.
How do you like it now trumplicans?
1
So the government is forcing people to work without pay? Is that true? Isn’t that called slavery? Only Trump would stiff his employees like that.
128
@Mary
"Only Trump would stiff his employees like that."
Now there's something the "opposition" should be making hay with! I'll never understand why so little attention was paid to Trump's past treatment of his employees and contractors during the 2016 campaign.
2
Are they going to pay them or just order them back to work? I think the latter. What a disgraceful administration! To steal their own words.
48
Proper air traffic control of course is a high priority. I’m a little taken aback that the FAA only designated some 300 employees as “essential” for maintaining public safety. It’s good they are calling back people to work, but of course they won’t be paid because of the Republican temper tantrum.
I am opposed to any party shutting down normal government operations for any reason and especially to pass legislation they can’t get thru by normal democratic processes. This is an entrenched Republican tactic now and it has to be stopped going forward.
The Israelis have a good policy for literal acts of terror. They don’t negotiate with terrorists and those who take hostages. The failure to achieve aims by this route essentially stops that tactic. We should do the same for this sort of metaphorical hostage taking.
62
@Michael Although the approach of not negotiating with opponents (and for some reason, Trump and his supports have become actual opponents instead of members of the same government) seems harsh in this instance, I believe that the Democrats in Congress must resist the pressure to capitulate to Trump's Tantrum. It cannot be emphasized enough that this is a manufactured crisis, a choice by Trump that may be the result of a miscalculation, but one that he will dig in to continue in order to show his toughness. But as has been pointed out, capitulating to bullies ensures that the behavior will continue. What a cruel and uncaring person is this president!
1
@Michael
Hence the Dems refusing to meet with the 'take-out' king. They don't want to negotiate with hostage takers.
1
First step, bring 'em back. Second step, pay 'em!!
28
Mission essential! If there is a group of government employees outside of the law enforcement that should be working it is the F.A.A. I would not want to get on an airplane without these people working. The fact that trump has agreed to pay all of the federal employees not working once they open the government back up is the issue. This whole fence/wall thing is being dragged on because one person cannot accept defeat! Who is that one person? trump Please let the federal government open back up.
25
don't forget, those planes are also flying over millions of Americans, the sitting ducks of the Republican Party.
2
Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.
The FAA is flat wrong on this. Trump wants his shut down (lock out) trump has got it.
Shut down aviation for safety reasons instead of forcing people into slavery (forced work with for no pay)
No domestic or international aviation— go talk to trump in the White House
Trump owns this, let his feel the pain.
105
This situation is a direct reflection of Trump's and McConnell's incompetence in basic governance and willful cruelty towards Americans.
There is no valid reason, whatsoever, for mandating that any American work without timely pay and safe working conditions.
End the Russian-instructed government shutdown NOW, Mssrs. Trump and McConnell!
47
@aek
Thank you.
1
Not even one word about high ranking FAA folks, getting paid and doing overseas tours. Civil service blue bloods.
11
More signs of a lawless government.
23
Soon they will all walk and I mean across the entire 400K being forced to work no one can work for free long...
21
I am wondering if this shutdown was going to drag on through and past the Super Bowl. I have to travel in the next couple of weeks, and have been keeping a watchful eye on the wait times and chaos at America's airports. Knowing that so many people's lives are impacted by people choosing not to travel - and stay, and eat, and shop - to our great cities is extremely distressing.
I don't blame any of these employees who are having to find work to put food on their tables, and pay their living expenses. I don't know anyone who would see this as welcomed "time off". The stress and anxiety would be crushing.
35
SO, does this mean that the additional workers being recalled will also work without pay?
13
@Lois Lettini Yes it does. As of Friday the 18th I will be working without pay for the federal courts. I can't look for another job due to the "conflict of interest" clause. I can't start a GoFundMe due to possible conflicts. I can't collect unemployment because I was (conveniently)deemed "essential". As long as people continue to work without pay, the full effects of a government shutdown will not be felt.
1
@Lois Lettini
Yes
Of course I want the government reopened, I'm a firm believer in the fact that government is good and can do good things. When I heard Ronald Reagan say that it (government) was the problem thirty plus years ago I cringed. That was the turning point.
Now there is a bit of schadenfreude in so much as pilots, airline executives who attended the Trump inauguration, all very conservative groups, and others who suddenly see how important the government is to their personal welfare risk losing money. How's that "limited government" working out for you Captain?
30
This is beginning to be the shutdown that isn’t really a shutdown. IRS is processing returns; FAA have brought back their inspectors to supplement their controllers; the Coast Guard is protecting our ports and interdicting smugglers. FBI, DEA, and CBP (among others) are protecting people and property.
It seems to me his administration is unilaterally providing direct services so that the everyday citizens don’t see or feel the effects of the shutdown. That is except those federal employees who are doing it without pay. They feel it plenty.
42
Except for contractors who work for the government. They are getting hurt and will not receive back pay.
1
So there will be another 4000 workers for the airlines. Are they getting paid?
9
@Currents No. These would then simply function as those currently 'essential' employees who are being forced to work without pay.
5
It's hard to see the legality/constitutionality of the shifting definitions of "essential" workers by the Trump administration. We could get back to a point of government "full employment" -- everyone is back at their job, but no one is getting paid -- because suddenly everyone is "essential."
While the current cases from the shutdown are winding their way through the court system and won't be decided until well after this shutdown is over (well, maybe...), Congress needs to put a stop to these ridiculous shutdowns where workers are pawns and either have to work without pay or sit at home.
22
So a few weeks of exposing air travelers to danger was okay and now it isn't? As someone who has been on airplanes several times the past few weeks, I applaud the disingenuousness of this administration and its officials. I'm sure fears of an accident or incident drove this. Or perhaps even incidents we'll never know about.
48
Air traffic controllers have a stressful job as it is, to add having to work without pay just adds insult to injury.
79
I’m against the wall and the shutdown, and I want the government opened. I am, however, confused.
Are agencies really closed if they can reevaluate and decide to call people back? It feels as though these decisions are being made to address political fallout that Trump didn’t anticipate. Are there rules and procedures?
54
@Maryfran Yes, there are rules and procedures. This administration is overturning them because - as you noted - they are addressing political fallout. The fewer people really impacted by the shutdown, the fewer people calling Congress to get the government re-opened.
45
@MPMP Except, of course, that the recalled employees aren't getting paid. Totally agree with you both!
22