Colorado Republican Sen. Cory Gardner’s spokesman told us Wednesday he intends to vote for a clean funding bill that would open the government with no increased border-security funding attached.

It’s the right thing to do.

We cannot stress enough that our democracy’s health is at stake in this political stalemate. When we allow funding measures and budgets to be tied to policy objectives and pet projects, everyone suffers. Both parties are guilty of the malpractice, as we noted at about this time last year when Democrats were the ones orchestrating a shutdown in pursuit of protections for immigrants without legal status who were brought to America as kids.

This 33-day, partial shutdown is driven by President Donald Trump’s demands for $5.7 billion for a wall on America’s southern border. It should stand as the last time our politicians abuse federal workers as though they are disposable pawns in a grander game of political chess.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, pledged to allow his members to vote on two bills Thursday and one would fund the government until Feb. 8 without the controversial money for Trump’s wall (it would keep border security funding at the same level). That clean continuing resolution takes the common-sense approach of alleviating the shutdown crisis and then allowing negotiations on immigration reform and border security.

The measure is likely to get the support of every Democrat in the Senate, including Colorado’s Michael Bennet, but it’s unlikely the bill will pass, as it needs 60 votes and most Republicans are standing firm with Trump. Democrats in the House have already approved a clean funding bill.

Gardner’s spokesman said Wednesday night that the senator has long opposed shutdowns, including the 2013 shutdown. He said Gardner will also vote for the second measure to open the government.

That government-funding resolution is being touted by Republicans as a compromise measure, but it includes a major policy change to how the U.S. handles some asylum seekers that we cannot support.

Trump’s proposal, according to reporting by The New York Times, would prohibit people from seeking asylum from inside the United States or at the border after being apprehended. The asylum process is intended to serve those who are fleeing persecution, violence and sometimes certain death in their home countries. To expect those living in fear to wait at home while the U.S. bureaucracy processes their paperwork defeats the purpose of safe-haven humanitarian policies.

It was a poison pill included in the proposal so Democrats wouldn’t support the measure and Republicans could accuse them of rejecting a compromise.

If the continuing resolution to fund the government fails Thursday, there is another option to relieve pressure on federal employees. Gardner is proposing legislation that would allow federal workers to collect their paychecks despite the shutdown.

We support that effort and hope Republicans and Democrats can see the wisdom of not harming federal workers who are missing their paychecks for even another day longer.

This shutdown has gone on far too long, and there’s no one to blame but Trump. We hope he comes to his senses and agrees to open the government and then consider an immigration reform package that includes money for border security.

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