How Capitol Police are literally paying the price during the government shutdown

Op-ed views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author.

The law enforcement veteran and InVest USA founder discusses what’s happening with police officers assigned to protect the Democrats, and averting their paychecks.

It frustrates me that Democrats refuse to see eye to eye when it comes to the ongoing government shutdown. As a result of this, thousands of employees have been laid off, and several others are without a paycheck. And what’s worse, some of even are even working without a paycheck. Imagine having to do that.

That’s the case with Capitol Police officers, who are forced to come to work every day to defend some of the very Democrats who refuse to make any sort of forward movement on restoring their paychecks. Tell you what, if that was me, I’d be completely frustrated by the very idea.

Imagine going to work and putting your life on the line, toiling away what little energy you have, and then…having nothing to show for it. You’d be absolutely frustrated, right? Especially as the bills mount up and you find yourself having to rely on precious savings or even credit cards just to make ends meet.

That’s what’s happening with a number of our Capitol Police officers.

They officially went through their first pay period without any sort of paycheck on October 10^th, and, as you can probably tell, they’re feeling the strain. “They’re asked to be everything to everybody,” said Terry Gainer, who used to serve with the Police force. “You need to be ready at the drop of a hat to take very aggressive enforcement action, but you also have to be a person who will welcome visitors and be a tour guide.”

And to do that without an ounce of gratitude from the politicians you’re trying to protect? And without a paycheck?

Senator Katie Britt, the Republican representative for Alaska, made it clear how these 2,000 officers are suffering through this period. “These men and women are paying the price,” she said. “It’s absolutely selfish and ridiculous. It’s heartbreaking. People have mortgages, people have families.”

I’m sure some of you are going, “Well, the Republicans are also part of the blame for the shutdown, right?” Wrong. The fact of the matter is that Republicans have put together very responsible terms in getting things moving again, and, to no one’s surprise, the Democrats have been absolutely stagnant in terms of making movement alongside them.

And what’s more, President Donald Trump has actually attempted to reroute funds to get these law enforcement officers paid through the shutdown. But who’s standing in the way? Surprise, Democrats.

Representative Joe Morelle, Democrat for New York, questioned this move by the President, noting it could be “patently illegal.”

So let me get this straight. Our officers are going through toil and trouble right now to keep you defended, and you’re more concerned about patents than doing the correct thing in an effort to keep food on their table? It just makes no sense.

What’s worse, a Democrat actually got physical with a Capitol Police officer this past week. California Representative Nanette Barragan got into it with a Capitol Police officer after he grabbed her when she was trying to enter an unauthorized area. Union Chair Gus Papathanasiou said the behavior was “unacceptable” and demanded an apology from Barragan, but she refused, noting she was “forcefully grabbed.”

Hey, Nanette, of course, you were forcefully grabbed. You were taking part in a protest, and the officer was doing their job to keep everyone safe. But the fact you turn yourself into the victim and blame the police for being the bad people…well, honestly, I’m not surprised.

Look, I’ll keep it simple. The Capitol Police are doing an outstanding job when it comes to keeping people safe. When it comes to helping those around the Capitol. And despite what these Democrats will tell you, they deserve to be paid. End of story. They’re putting their lives on the line and, as a result of this, they absolutely earn that paycheck.

So stop making excuses. Give it to them. Get back to the table and get this country running again. Stop blaming them for your problems and start paying them for their efforts. It’s more than fair.

Michael A. Letts, Founder, President, and CEO of In-Vest USA, a national grassroots non-profit organization that is helping hundreds of communities provide thousands of bullet-proof vests for their police forces through educational, public relations, sponsorship, and fundraising programs.

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