Washington, D.C. — The Senate on Friday failed to advance a bipartisan attempt to pay federal employees during the record-long government shutdown, underscoring how far apart the parties remain as travel delays mount and safety-net programs face uncertainty.
The measure, sponsored by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), fell 53–43, short of the 60 votes needed. Three Democrats — Sens. Ben Ray Luján (N.M.), Jon Ossoff (Ga.) and Raphael Warnock (Ga.) — joined Republicans in support after GOP leaders added language to cover both “essential” employees working without pay and furloughed workers.
Democrats blocked the bill, insisting Congress reopen the entire government rather than pass piecemeal fixes. “We cannot leave any Americans behind… we must reopen all of the government,” said Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the top Democrat on Appropriations, in a memo circulated before the vote. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) reiterated Democrats would support reopening in exchange for a one-year extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies — the core sticking point in the stalemate.
Republicans dismissed that offer as a nonstarter. “The Obamacare extension is the negotiation,” said GOP Leader John Thune (S.D.), arguing talks over health subsidies should begin only after agencies are funded. A visibly frustrated Thune accused Democrats of playing “political games” by blocking pay for federal staff.
The clash leaves no clear path forward. The House has been out since Sept. 19; Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has said he won’t recall members until Senate Democrats agree to a full reopening. Meanwhile, consequences are widening: airlines are trimming schedules to meet FAA staffing limits, with cancellations disproportionately hitting smaller airports, and agencies warn of looming disruptions to key benefits if the impasse continues.
“I literally begged” Democrats to back the pay bill, Sen. Johnson said on the floor. “If you’re going to force [employees] to work, at a minimum… pay them on time.”
With neither side budging — Democrats tying reopening to ACA subsidies and Republicans refusing to negotiate until after funding is restored — the shutdown appears poised to stretch further into next week.
