Senate GOP pushes essential pay during shutdown | JQJO

Senate Republicans will force a Thursday vote to pay “essential” federal employees — including military, border patrol and TSA — during the shutdown, now in its 23rd day, as millions near their first missed full paycheck. Democrats plan to oppose it and offer a rival bill to pay furloughed workers too, but both measures are unlikely to reach 60 votes. Sens. Tim Kaine and Andy Kim warn the GOP plan lets the president decide who counts as essential. Republicans counter that Democrats should simply reopen the government.