Sen. Rand Paul says he's in favor of paying troops, federal workers during government shutdown

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said Sunday that he would support passing a stand-alone measure through the Senate to pay U.S. troops and federal workers who are not getting paid during the ongoing government shutdown.“I’m in favor of paying the troops.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said Sunday that he would support passing a stand-alone measure through the Senate to pay U.S. troops and federal workers who are not getting paid during the ongoing government shutdown.

“I’m in favor of paying the troops. I’m in favor of paying all of the employees that are currently working. And if that procedure or that vote comes before us next week, which I think there’s a chance that it will, I will support that,” Paul told NBC News’ “Meet the Press.”

It’s a notable position for Paul to take, given that he’s voted against every bill to temporarily fund the government in recent weeks.

The federal government has been shuttered since the beginning of the month as the Senate has failed to overcome a 60-vote threshold for any bill to temporarily fund the government.

The House in September passed a stopgap funding measure that would temporarily fund the government through Nov. 21. All House Republicans and one House Democrat voted in favor of that measure, but it has failed to earn the votes of 60 senators.