John Thune: “I am trying to understand what is going on here. Perhaps the Senator from Michigan can clarify. So every public sector…”

“I am trying to understand what is going on here. Perhaps the Senator from Michigan can clarify. So every public sector employees' union is supporting the Senator from Wisconsin's bill, but you are objecting because you think it grants too much power to the President. Now, if that is--I don't know how every public sector employees' union would be in support of this bill. My understanding is that the modification proposed by the Senator from Michigan would essentially cover backpay but wouldn't do anything to address it going forward. In other words, we are going to keep Federal employees hostage. So they might get paid for backpay, but starting tomorrow, they are not going to get paid again, and that means that in the future, they will continue to be pawns, they will continue to be held hostage. This is a straightforward approach that addresses that issue and everybody in this Chamber who isn't getting paid. I can't believe people come down here and look these people in the eye when he is saying right here: We will pay them not only for today but for tomorrow and for the entire year, and we won't allow them to be held hostage and be pawns in a political game in the future. My understanding is that the Senator from Michigan, on behalf of, I suppose, other Democrats, is objecting to that. Please, please help me understand.…”