‘Go drink big old glass of get over it’: Sen. Kennedy rips into Democrats over shutdown stalemate

Key Concepts

• Government Shutdown: A situation where non-essential government operations cease due to a failure of Congress to appropriate funds.
• Essential Employees: Government workers who continue to perform their duties during a shutdown, often without immediate pay.
• Furloughed Employees: Government workers who are temporarily laid off during a shutdown and are typically paid retroactively.
• Continuing Resolution (CR): A temporary funding measure that allows the government to continue operating when a new budget has not been enacted.
• Unanimous Consent: A procedure in the Senate where a bill or motion can be passed without any objection from any senator.
• Veto: The power of the President to reject a bill passed by Congress.
• MAGA Agenda: Refers to the political platform and priorities of President Donald Trump.

Government Shutdown and Worker Pay

The transcript details a debate in the U.S. Senate concerning how to handle the pay of federal workers during a government shutdown. The core issue revolves around ensuring that all government employees, particularly essential personnel who continue to work, receive their salaries.

Senator's Proposal for Universal Pay

A senator from Louisiana (implied to be Senator Kennedy, though not explicitly named) proposes a bill that would ensure all government workers are paid, regardless of whether they are deemed essential or furloughed, and irrespective of a shutdown. This proposal aims to provide a "permanent payday for those who do their job," meaning they would be paid consistently even during funding disputes. The senator emphasizes that this is not a "niche bill" designed to punish or favor specific groups but a universal solution for all workers.

Objection to Universal Pay and Alternative Proposals

Senator Rand Paul (referred to as "Rand" and "Senator Paul") objects to the senator from Louisiana's bill, not necessarily on the principle of paying everyone, but perhaps seeking modifications. The senator from Louisiana expresses confusion over this objection, stating, "We could pay everyone. We could have paid everyone had he agreed to my motion."

Senator Paul's stance, as explained by the senator from Louisiana, is that if essential workers are not being paid, then members of Congress should also not be paid. This aligns with the idea that "what's good for the goose is good for the gander," suggesting that lawmakers should experience the same consequences as the public they serve.

Senator Durban's Perspective and Strategy

Senator Durban (implied to be Senator Dick Durbin) supports Senator Paul's idea of paying everyone, but expresses concern about the political viability of Senator Paul's bill. He argues that President Trump does not consider Senator Paul to be part of the "MAGA agenda" and is likely to veto any bill bearing Senator Paul's name.

To overcome this, Senator Durban proposes putting his own name on a bill similar to one introduced by Senator Ron Johnson (referred to as "Ron John" and "Senator Ron Johnson"). Senator Johnson's bill, which Senator Durban has voted for, aims to pay essential employees working during a shutdown and to pay furloughed employees once the shutdown ends. Senator Durban believes his name on the bill might increase its chances of passing the House and being signed by the President, as he feels he has a better chance of convincing President Trump to sign it if it's presented as Senator Johnson's bill.

The Senator from Washington's Objection

The senator from Washington (implied to be Senator Patty Murray) reserves the right to object to the senator from Louisiana's request for unanimous consent. While agreeing that every federal worker should be paid, the senator from Washington argues that the proposed bill allows President Trump and "Russ Vote" (likely a misstatement or colloquialism for a specific political faction or individual) to decide "who they want to pay during a shutdown and that will allow them to stiff everyone else."

The senator from Washington quotes President Trump as saying, "We're going to take care of our people. There are some people who really don't deserve to be taken care of, and we'll take care of them in a different way." This quote is used as evidence that the proposed bill would enable the President to selectively pay workers based on his preference, rather than ensuring all workers are paid. The senator from Washington advocates for a bipartisan Continuing Resolution (CR) to reopen the government and prevent healthcare costs from escalating, and suggests that if a bill is to be passed, it should cover all employees, referencing proposals from Senators Van Hollen and Peters.

Senator from Louisiana's Rebuttal and Frustration

The senator from Louisiana reiterates his frustration with the objection, stating that his bill was a "third choice" but "better than nothing." He expresses his inability to change the election of President Trump, who he asserts was "duly elected." He criticizes his Democratic colleagues, suggesting they have shut down the government out of hatred for the President, to the point of irrationality. He advises his Democratic friends to "drink a big old cold tall glass and get over it and realize that President Trump is the president of the United States."

Logical Connections and Arguments

The transcript illustrates a legislative deadlock caused by differing approaches to government funding and worker compensation during a shutdown.

• The core conflict: Democrats (represented by the senator from Washington) want a bipartisan CR to reopen the government and ensure all workers are paid. Republicans (represented by the senator from Louisiana and, to some extent, Senator Paul) are focused on specific legislative proposals to address worker pay during a shutdown, with differing strategies on how to achieve this and gain presidential approval.
• Strategic differences: Senator Durban's strategy highlights the political realities of passing legislation, prioritizing a bill that is more likely to be signed by the President, even if it means compromising on the original sponsor or specific provisions.
• Principled objections: Senator Paul's objection, as interpreted by Senator Durban, stems from a principle of equal treatment for lawmakers and public employees. The senator from Washington's objection is based on concerns about selective payment and the need for a comprehensive solution to reopen the government.
• Emotional vs. Rational Appeals: The senator from Louisiana attempts to frame the Democratic opposition as overly emotional and irrational, urging them to accept the reality of President Trump's presidency.

Conclusion

The transcript reveals a contentious debate over government shutdowns and worker pay. While there is a general agreement that workers should be paid, significant disagreements exist on the legislative strategy to achieve this. One senator proposes a universal pay bill, facing objections and strategic maneuvering by others who prioritize political feasibility and presidential approval. The debate underscores the partisan divisions and the challenges of finding common ground in a divided government, particularly when dealing with the immediate impact of a shutdown on federal employees.