Kay Granger: “My motion amends the bill by striking all of its contents and replacing it with an appropriation to ensure Federal…”

“My motion amends the bill by striking all of its contents and replacing it with an appropriation to ensure Federal employees will get the backpay they deserve. I am offering this motion because the overall bill we are considering today does not address the Department of Homeland Security's funding requirements to secure the border. Therefore, we know the President will not support it, so it will not reopen the Federal Government or ensure our employees are paid. Last week, I essentially offered this same motion, which, again, will immediately provide the backpay our hardworking Federal employees have earned since this shutdown began. This should be something that all Members of this Chamber support, so it is troubling that my friends on the other side of the aisle chose to vote against this measure when it was brought to the floor last week. So we are giving them yet another opportunity to end the political gamesmanship and vote for this measure today. This shutdown has caused real-world consequences for Federal employees, such as Border Patrol and DEA agents, TSA personnel, air traffic controllers, and the hundreds of thousands of other Federal employees suffering during this shutdown. These employees have bills to pay and families to support. This motion will ensure that they are able to do that immediately while we continue working toward a permanent solution that will reopen the government.…”