White House Threatens Starving Its Own Workers, Not Defense Contractors
According to The Hill, the Biden administration is using the threat of unpaid furloughs to coerce Congress into a budget deal. This political maneuvering conveniently overlooks historical precedent: federal workers have always received backpay after shutdowns. The 2018-2019 shutdown, for instance, saw 800,000 workers go unpaid, but Congress swiftly passed legislation for their compensation. Yet,
as the White House plays hardball with its own workforce, the Pentagon's budget remains sacrosanct, consistently rising even as domestic programs face cuts. One might wonder why the administration, so quick to secure billions in foreign military aid—like the recent $14 billion for Israel in HR 815, a mere 48 hours after some key representatives received substantial AIPAC donations (e.g., Rep.
Hakeem Jeffries accepted $10,000 from AIPAC on March 7, 2024, voting for HR 815 on March 9)—can't seem to guarantee paychecks for its own citizens. It appears that ensuring the continued flow of weapons abroad is a higher fiscal priority than preventing hardship for federal families right here at home.