Rob Bishop: “Last summer, thousands of civilian defense workers were furloughed in violation of the law as the administration decided…”

“Last summer, thousands of civilian defense workers were furloughed in violation of the law as the administration decided to spread the pain for political purposes. In July, the House passed the Defense appropriations bill to fund the military, including those illegally furloughed employees, by 315 votes in an intensely bipartisan effort. And yet since July, the Majority Leader has yet to bring that bill to a vote in the Senate. This week, we passed a law to fund our military, although the administration attorneys are still arguing over what the word ``support'' means. And I commend the Department of Defense in their efforts to overcome this roadblock and get people back to work. But because of these examples, it is imperative that all Federal employees are guaranteed they will receive the backpay that is due them. This will not cost the government extra. There is precedent. It is logical. Yes, our goal should be to start the government working. But as we are looking, within 2 weeks of this period of time, debt ceiling, the issue of sequestration, entitlement reform, a Senate that continues to demand that we spend an extra $60 billion we don't have and ObamaCare, it is clear that the strategies of the past don't work. Senator Reid's position of ``it's my way or nothing'' has won. We have nothing. And we will continue to have nothing until something new breaks this logjam.…”