7 Republicans who voted against back pay for furloughed workers

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The House and Senate this week voted overwhelmingly to provide back pay to about 800,000 federal workers who are going without paychecks because of the partial government shutdown.

But seven lawmakers - all House Republicans - opposed the measure. Those "no" votes came from Reps. Justin Amash (Mich.), Andy Biggs (Ariz.), Paul Gosar (Ariz.), Glen Grothman (Wis.), Thomas Massie (Ky.), Chip Roy (Texas) and Ted Yoho (Fla.).

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Roy issued a statement on Friday explaining his vote.


"There is zero question that we should pay federal workers. I do not, however, support putting federal spending on autopilot indefinitely or authorizing future pay irrespective of the circumstances," he said. "I would gladly have voted to pay federal employees at the end of the current lapse, but we should do so methodically and always ensure we are managing the budget wisely."

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Let's say this thing went on for another three, four, five, six months. You would have people that didn't work at all being paid money from the federal government," he said.

About 420,000 federal employees deemed "essential" are working without pay during the shutdown, while about 380,000 have been furloughed.

Gosar issued a statement after the vote saying the bill removes an incentive to resolve the shutdown swiftly.

"This ill-conceived legislation takes away a useful tool in holding government accountable," he said. "Shutdowns have historically served to push both parties to compromise and resolution. This bill eliminates the impact and urgency a shutdown creates and rewards bureaucrats and swamp dwellers."

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