Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) believes the doors of Trump Tower should be open to federal workers affected by the partial government shutdown.
The presidential candidate suggested this to MSNBC host Rachel Maddow on Wednesday night, reports HuffPost.
“If the president feels this strongly about it, then open up the Trump Tower and let everybody live in there rent-free, and then maybe we can start having a discussion,” she said. “I bet he’s got some rooms.”
Harris is probably joking, but this issue is no laughing matter.
Approximately 800,000 federal workers are due to miss their second pay period in a row on Friday. More than 25,000 workers have filed for unemployment benefits since January 12, and, according to Politico, 10,500 filed the previous week. This is a significant jump from the mere 1,700 who applied around this time in 2018.
Workers have also used other methods to survive including loans, food pantries and even pawning their belongings.
On Friday, the Labor Department denied requests from several states to allocate unemployment benefits to about 450,000 people because the workers are not considered unemployed since they “continue to provide full time services.”
The department also stated states that chose to pay benefits would not be compensated for back pay or expenses related to benefits.
Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.
Now, check these out:
Stephen Colbert Is Petitioning To Have Cardi B Deliver The State Of The Union Rebuttal
Sen. Kamala Harris Targeted By New Birther Conspiracy Days After Announcing White House Bid
It Only Took Kamala Harris' Campaign 24 Hours To Raise $1.5 Million