A proposed zero-interest short-term loan program for federal employees affected by the federal government shutdown is moving ahead in the Democrat-controlled Minnesota House after clearing a key committee Tuesday. Richfield Democrat Mike Howard says the objective is to “find a way that we can practically support workers that, due to no fault of their own, are missing paychecks and doing such vital work.”
But Sartell Republican Tim O’Driscoll questions whether certain people will be taken care of now, but there will be no way to help others if there’s another shutdown. “If we are concerned about unprecedented number one, what about 2.0 unprecedented, where Congress won’t come to terms with the president,” O’Driscoll says.