Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., said he has a proposal on the table that would pay all federal workers during the ongoing government shutdown.
Johnson told The Hill he believes Senate Republican leadership supports the proposal and that he has offered it to Democrats. Johnson's proposed bill would pay both essential and furloughed employees.
"Are they going to take 'yes' for an answer?" Johnson told The Hill about his proposal to Democrats. "We're willing to add furloughed workers."
"Pay them up front. They're going to get paid anyway," Johnson continued. "We need to put that vote on the floor. Get it all approved by the White House and our leadership."
Johnson said the Republican Senate conference would discuss it further Tuesday. He stressed to The Hill the bill would not prevent President Donald Trump from laying off federal employees or restructuring the federal workforce.
The Wisconsin senator said he needs to ensure the White House would be on board with the legislation.
Democrats previously blocked Johnson's Shutdown Fairness Act, which would pay essential workers during the shutdown.
Johnson said he is working with Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., who has proposed his own legislation to pay employees during the shutdown.
"We should not be punishing federal employees for something they had nothing to do with. They're not responsible. They're innocent bystanders," Van Hollen said.
The Maryland senator's bill would prevent the Trump administration from firing federal employees during the shutdown.
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