Free Republic

Democrats are struggling to come up with a way to provide back pay for low-wage contractors losing income because of the partial shutdown, a complicated process that hasn't been tackled during previous government closures. Contracted maintenance workers, cleaners, security guards and cafeteria staff at government buildings are among the hardest hit by the shutdown, which began Dec. 22. Unlike the hundreds of thousands of affected federal employees who often receive back pay after a shutdown ends, low-wage contractors are not afforded compensation once the government reopens. While President Trump is expected to sign legislation that would eventually give back pay...

Former Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz, now a Fox News commentator, predicted Sunday the partial government shutdown would continue at least through President Donald Trump's State of the Union address, and Republicans would be seen as the winners. If the current partial shutdown continues through Friday, it would be the longest on the books. Chaffetz, speaking on Fox News Sunday, said he believes the shutdown would still be going on at that point, and would likely not end before President Trump gives his speech on January 29. "I think the next pressure point is the State of the Union at the...