The largest union for federal workers, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), issued a direct appeal to Congress on Monday, urging the passage of a “clean” funding bill to immediately end the government shutdown. This move places the union at odds with Democrats, who have insisted that any deal to reopen the government must include an extension of enhanced subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
The AFGE’s stance, articulated nearly four weeks into the shutdown, highlights the growing pressure on federal unions whose members are furloughed and missing paychecks. Historically an ally of the Democratic Party, the union now prioritizes ending the shutdown for its hundreds of thousands of members.
“Both political parties have made their point, and still there is no clear end in sight,” said Everett Kelly, AFGE’s president, in a statement. Kelly stressed the need to “put every single federal worker back on the job with full back pay.”
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Political Reactions and Stalemate Details
The union’s position was quickly seized upon by Republicans, who control the Senate, as leverage against the Democratic negotiating strategy.
Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) posted on social media, “Even a union that backed Kamala Harris admits it: Democrats caused this shutdown. Pass the clean CR. Reopen the government!” Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) echoed this sentiment during a press conference, calling the situation “a national disgrace what Democrats are doing to good, hardworking people.”
The current stalemate centers on the Democratic demand to extend enhanced subsidies for Americans enrolled in the ACA, which are set to expire by the end of the year. Democrats have pushed for a guaranteed outcome on the subsidies, arguing that without an extension, health insurance premiums are projected to “skyrocket for over 20 million Americans.”
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Republicans, however, are pushing for a “clean” Continuing Resolution (CR) that would reopen the government without the health care provisions, which would then be negotiated separately.
Pressure Mounts on Democrats
The AFGE’s call could increase pressure on Democrats to accept a temporary funding bill. The union’s decision is particularly noteworthy given the strained relationship federal workers have had with the Trump administration, which has sought to reduce the federal workforce and curb collective bargaining rights.
Republicans require at least five Democratic votes to pass a bill to reopen the government. Currently, three members of the Democratic caucus—Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Angus King (I-Maine, who caucuses with Democrats)—have already broken ranks to vote in favor of reopening the government.
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