Georgia United State Senator Johnny Isakson voted to end the government shut down on both the first Republican-backed bill and later the Democratic-backed bill, saying it is his job as a member of Congress to ensure unpaid government workers receive back pay, according to a press release.
After voting in favor of both bills, Isakson said in his floor remarks that Congress needs to do what they “promised the people of the United States of America” they would do.
“When everybody’s out of work, it’s our fault. These are the people who carry the mail, empty the garbage, cook in the cafeteria, clean up the parks, and do everything they do without any complaint whatsoever,” Isakson said. “But they’re out there, many of them not even being paid right now, while we’re sitting here debating a subject that we can’t reach a solution on, period.”
The first proposed bill would reopen the government’s through Sept. 30, 2019, and also grant $5.7 billion in funding for the border security and provide extended legal protections for some immigrants, specifically three-year protection for people brought into the U.S. as children.
The second proposed bill would end the shutdown until Feb. 8, allowing furloughed employees to receive back pay, but would not grant funding for border security.
Georgia United State Senator David Perdue voted in favor of the first bill funding border security and voted against the second bill which would temporarily reopen the government.
“Many of us fought to keep the Senate in session last August to avoid this funding situation in the first place. President Trump has tried to reopen negotiations with a reasonable proposal that not only fully funds the federal government, but also addresses critical border security and disaster relief,” Perdue said in a press release. “It is unacceptable that Senate Democrats continue to reject every opportunity to compromise in good faith. In the real world, both sides have to negotiate to find a solution. It’s time to work together to tackle these national priorities.”
Isakson was one of six Republicans to vote in favor of the Democratic-backed bill.
“We need to take our armor off, leave our weapons at the door, walk in the room, shake hands. … Let’s sit down, and let’s pass a bill we can both agree on that gets Americans back to work and restores the spirit of Ellis Island and the pride of the United States of America.”