The White House Condemns Jeffries’ Criticism of the Shutdown Pay Bill
The White House has criticized Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., for his dismissal of the Shutdown Fairness Act, a proposed bill aimed at ensuring that Federal employees are paid during the ongoing government shutdown. In a post on X, the White House accused Jeffries of failing to address the ‘issues that need to be confronted,’ including the need to ensure that U.S. troops are paid and the high cost of living crisis. The Shutdown Fairness Act, introduced by Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., seeks to appropriate funds for pay and allowances of excepted Federal employees during a lapse in appropriations. The bill has been added to the Senate calendar for potential voting, with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., indicating it may be brought up for a vote in the House if it passes the Senate.
While Jeffries argued that the bill is not comprehensive and fails to address broader issues like the high cost of living and healthcare crisis, the White House accused him of making a political ploy to ‘pick and choose’ which employees should be compensated. The dispute highlights the deepening political tensions over the government shutdown, with Trump’s recent directive ordering the Pentagon to ensure troops are paid despite the shutdown adding to the complexity of the situation.
Jeffries’ criticism of the legislation has drawn strong reactions from the White House, which accused him of failing to prioritize the immediate needs of military personnel and the broader economic challenges facing Americans. The White House’s post on X quoted Jeffries, suggesting that his stance was a way to shift focus from the shutdown’s impact on Federal employees to the ongoing debate about healthcare and the cost of living. This has led to accusations that Jeffries is using the issue as a political strategy rather than a genuine effort to address the situation.
The situation underscores the growing divide between the Democratic and Republican factions in Congress, with each side vying to assert its priorities in the ongoing shutdown. While the White House and Republican leaders continue to push for resolutions that maintain basic government operations and service for military personnel, Democrats like Jeffries are focusing on broader fiscal and social issues, such as the high cost of living and healthcare reform. The political maneuvering reflects the broader impasse that has led to the prolonged shutdown, with neither side willing to compromise on key issues.
As the government shutdown enters its 22nd day, the political tensions continue to escalate, with both sides accusing each other of obstruction and political opportunism. The White House’s recent directive ordering the Pentagon to ensure troop pay highlights the immediate concerns of national security and military readiness, even as the broader fiscal and policy debates remain unresolved. The outcome of the legislative efforts to address the shutdown will be closely watched as it could determine the resolution of the crisis and the future of the nation’s political landscape.