Maybe we don’t want to avert a gov’t shutdown.
Considering a “gov’t shutdown” still leaves “essential services” running, many of us view a “shutdown” as the most efficient way to achieve exactly the deep cuts we need to stop the financial hemorrhaging. LET it shut down, then negotiate fiercely & slowly against _any_ resumption of halted services. Dump the “back pay” guarantee (well, I don’t get “back pay” for furlough days not worked in private industry), persuade bureaucrats at all levels to go find work elsewhere (”dunno when this department’s business will resume”), and let department heads convince Congress why theirs actually matters vs others.
You really think the deep state won’t get their back pay?
Don’t give govt employees back pay for the time during the shutdown, THAT will bring Dems to the table.