Senator Ricketts’ Weekly Column: Fighting to Pay Our On-Duty Federal Officers

Our law enforcement officers work hard to prevent crime and protect families.  They face danger, act fast, and serve with courage.  I continue to work with my Republican colleagues to end the Schumer Shutdown and support our law enforcement officers.

Recently, the Nebraska State Patrol seized 130 pounds of meth outside of Omaha.  Earlier this month, an Omaha Police officer was shot in the head while arresting a suspect at a gas station.  We continue to pray for his complete recovery.

Multiple times this year, Nebraska officers have arrested criminal members of the violent MS-13 gang.  In August, U.S. Attorney for Nebraska Lesley Woods announced the arrest of five individuals for sex and human trafficking, visa fraud, and money laundering.  These individuals trafficked minors and illegal immigrants across hotels and salons that they owned.  All five are present in the country illegally.  Inter-agency cooperation between Nebraska law enforcement and federal officials have been key to these arrests.

Because of the Schumer Shutdown, federal officers, U.S. Attorneys, TSA agents, and Border Patrol agents are working without pay.  These federal officers and their families shouldn’t have to pay the price for Chuck Schumer’s political games.  Their paychecks shouldn’t be held hostage by Chuck Schumer.

I’ve voted a dozen times to reopen the government with a clean continuing resolution.  Chuck Schumer and the Democrats continue to block it.  That hurts our heroic law enforcement officers. I’ll continue fighting to reopen the government.

Republicans are also working to ensure our law enforcement and all federal workers on duty get a regular paycheck during the shutdown.  This week, we voted on the Shutdown Fairness Act.  This solution makes sure that the people who are showing up for work every day get paid. This includes air traffic controllers, military servicemembers, federal officers, U.S. Attorneys, TSA agents, and Border Patrol agents.

The Shutdown Fairness Act is fair and simple.  It’s common sense.  It should have passed easily.  Three Democrats voted for it, but Chuck Schumer and every other Democrat blocked it.  They are once again choosing to put partisan games over public safety.

Chuck Schumer and the Democrats voted against paying the heroes who are fighting against the scourge of human and sex trafficking.  They voted against paying the women and men who are taking drugs off our streets. They voted against paying the people who keep Americans safe.

Chuck Schumer recently said that, during the shutdown, “every day gets better for us.”  For who?  It’s certainly not better for the federal law enforcement officers who are working without pay.  Or, as one House Democrat Leader said, “Of course there will be families that are going to suffer ... it is one of the few leverage times we have.”

Our heroes deserve better than Democrats' partisan games.  We need to end the Schumer Shutdown.  I’ve voted a dozen times to do so. I’ll continue working to end this Schumer Shutdown and support law enforcement.  I’ll always back the blue.

Throughout the duration of the shutdown, my team and I are here to serve you.  My offices remain open in Scottsbluff, Kearney, Lincoln, Omaha, and Washington, D.C.  Contact us anytime by phone at 202-224-4224.  You can also view my website at www.ricketts.senate.gov/contact.