Rep. Anthony Brown Anthony Gregory BrownPelosi seeks to put pressure on GOP in COVID-19 relief battle Democrats demand Esper explicitly ban Confederate flag and allow Pride, Native Nations flags Trump tweets key GOP lawmaker has committed to not changing Confederate base names MORE (D-Md.) on Thursday introduced legislation aimed at providing essential government workers access to unemployment benefits during the partial government shutdown.

The bill’s introduction comes as federal workers affected by the shutdown are expected to miss their second consecutive paycheck. The measure would overturn a Department of Labor regulation prohibiting essential employees from collecting jobless benefits.

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“As the shutdown enters its 34th day, it’s unconscionable that the Trump administration is forcing hundreds of thousands of federal employees to work without providing a means for them to support themselves and their families,” Brown said in a statement. “If the President is going to continue to hold federal employees hostage, then we will ensure they are provided for during his shutdown.”

Brown noted the administration added 50,000 federal workers to the 420,000 employees who were already deemed essential and have been working without pay.

Some states have opted to extend unemployment benefits to essential employees and called on President Trump Donald John TrumpObama calls on Senate not to fill Ginsburg's vacancy until after election Planned Parenthood: 'The fate of our rights' depends on Ginsburg replacement Progressive group to spend M in ad campaign on Supreme Court vacancy MORE do the same.

Co-sponsors of the legislation include Democratic Reps. Don Beyer (Va.), Elaine Luria Elaine Goodman LuriaVirginians wait up to four hours to cast early voting ballots US Chamber of Commerce set to endorse 23 House freshman Democrats House panel votes against curtailing Insurrection Act powers after heated debate MORE (Va.), Jamie Raskin Jamin (Jamie) Ben RaskinShakespeare Theatre Company goes virtual for 'Will on the Hill...or Won't They?' Trump payroll-tax deferral for federal workers sparks backlash Congress must enact a plan to keep government workers safe MORE (Md.), Lori Trahan Lori A. TrahanEthics panel finds Massachusetts Democrat didn't violate rules Democrats on House Armed Services panel 'dismayed and gravely concerned' with Esper The Hill's Coronavirus Report: Pfizer's Mikael Dolsten says vaccine development timeline being cut in half; House poised to pass 4 billion relief package MORE (Mass.), David Trone David John TroneUS Chamber of Commerce set to endorse 23 House freshman Democrats Preventing the opioid epidemic from getting worse requires attacking it at the source Bicameral group of Democrats introduces bill to protect immigrant laborers MORE (Md.) and Jennifer Wexton Jennifer Lynn WextonThe Hill's Campaign Report: Trump's rally risk | Biden ramps up legal team | Biden hits Trump over climate policy Trump campaign knocks Biden event: 'All they could manage is a virtual event' Republicans face worsening outlook in battle for House MORE (Va.), as well as Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton Eleanor Holmes NortonShakespeare Theatre Company goes virtual for 'Will on the Hill...or Won't They?' DeJoy defends Postal Service changes at combative House hearing DC delegate highlights effects of Postal Service quagmire on community MORE (D-D.C.).

Negotiators have struggled to find a path forward to resolve the funding impasse. Democrats are calling on Republicans to reopen the government before they negotiate how to best handle border security, while Trump has vowed not to sign any spending bill that doesn’t include funding for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.