Dem bill would let essential workers collect unemployment during shutdown

Rep. Anthony BrownAnthony Gregory BrownOvernight Defense: Trump, Biden set to meet in final debate | Explicit Fort Bragg tweets were sent by account administrator | China threatens retaliation over Taiwan arms sale Trump, Pentagon collide over anti-diversity training push Overnight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon's use of COVID-19 funds MORE (D-Md.) on Thursday introduced legislation aimed at providing essential government workers access to unemployment benefits during the partial government shutdown.

The bill’s introduction comes as federal workers affected by the shutdown are expected to miss their second consecutive paycheck. The measure would overturn a Department of Labor regulation prohibiting essential employees from collecting jobless benefits.

“As the shutdown enters its 34th day, it’s unconscionable that the Trump administration is forcing hundreds of thousands of federal employees to work without providing a means for them to support themselves and their families,” Brown said in a statement. “If the President is going to continue to hold federal employees hostage, then we will ensure they are provided for during his shutdown.”

Brown noted the administration added 50,000 federal workers to the 420,000 employees who were already deemed essential and have been working without pay.

Some states have opted to extend unemployment benefits to essential employees and called on President TrumpDonald John TrumpGiuliani goes off on Fox Business host after she compares him to Christopher Steele Trump looks to shore up support in Nebraska NYT: Trump had 7 million in debt mostly tied to Chicago project forgiven MORE do the same.

Co-sponsors of the legislation include Democratic Reps. Don Beyer (Va.), Elaine LuriaElaine Goodman LuriaHouse lawmakers call for continued assistance to Lebanon On The Money: Sides tiptoe towards a COVID deal, but breakthrough appears distant | Expiring benefits raise stakes of stimulus talks | Stocks fade with eyes on Capitol Democrat urges IRS to quickly process Gold Star families' refund requests MORE (Va.), Jamie RaskinJamin (Jamie) Ben RaskinCongress must repeal tax breaks for the wealthy passed in CARES Act COVID-19 and the problem of presidential succession Warren, Porter to headline progressive fundraiser supporting seven swing state candidates MORE (Md.), Lori TrahanLori A. TrahanEthics panel finds Massachusetts Democrat didn't violate rules Democrats on House Armed Services panel 'dismayed and gravely concerned' with Esper The Hill's Coronavirus Report: Pfizer's Mikael Dolsten says vaccine development timeline being cut in half; House poised to pass 4 billion relief package MORE (Mass.), David TroneDavid John TroneBill to expand support for community addiction treatment passes House US Chamber of Commerce set to endorse 23 House freshman Democrats Preventing the opioid epidemic from getting worse requires attacking it at the source MORE (Md.) and Jennifer WextonJennifer Lynn WextonVirginia voter registration website back up after outage on last day to register House advances bill aimed at imports tied to Uyghur forced labor This week: Supreme Court fight over Ginsburg's seat upends Congress's agenda MORE (Va.), as well as Del. Eleanor Holmes NortonEleanor Holmes NortonHillicon Valley: Zuckerberg to express openness to Section 230 reform | Facebook removes accounts linked to foreign influence efforts ahead of election | YouTube adding warnings to videos, searches on Election Day Hillicon Valley: Hospitals brace for more cyberattacks as coronavirus cases rise | Food service groups offer local alternatives to major delivery apps | Facebook says it helped 4.4M people register to vote The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - White House plans for another in-person Barrett event MORE (D-D.C.).

Negotiators have struggled to find a path forward to resolve the funding impasse. Democrats are calling on Republicans to reopen the government before they negotiate how to best handle border security, while Trump has vowed not to sign any spending bill that doesn’t include funding for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.