Senate Democrats Block GOP Bill to Pay Federal Workers During Shutdown

The legislation would have provided a paycheck for both working and furloughed government workers as well as military members.

Savannah Hulsey Pointer

Published: 11/8/2025, 7:49:33 AM EST

Senate Democrats Block GOP Bill to Pay Federal Workers During Shutdown — Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) speaks to reporters during the Weekly Senate Policy Luncheon news conference on Capitol Hill on Nov. 4, 2025. (Tom Brenner/Getty Images)

Democrats in the Senate blocked a bill proposed by Republicans to pay all federal employees for the duration of the government shutdown late on Nov. 7.

The Senate voted 53–43 on the Shutdown Fairness Act. The measure needed 60 votes to move forward.

The proposal was made as the record-breaking shutdown continues well into its second month.

Earlier in the day, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) asked for unanimous consent on the legislation that would have provided a paycheck for both working and furloughed government workers as well as military members.

The unanimous consent was shot down by Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), who objected to the measure.

“I’m concerned that Sen. Johnson’s bill still leaves too much discretion up to President [Donald] Trump,” Peters said in his objection. “There’s too much wiggle room for the administration to basically pick and choose which federal employees are paid and when.”

Johnson responded, saying that he had already changed the bill “dramatically” from its original form to satisfy Peters and other Democrats who he hoped would support the measure.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) responded to the objection.

“This is a straightforward approach that addresses that issue. And everybody in this chamber who isn’t getting paid—I can’t believe people come down here and look these people in the eye when he’s saying right here we will pay them, not only for today but for tomorrow and the entire year, and we won’t allow them to be held hostage and be pawns in a political game in the future.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) also proposed a new plan that would fund the government and extend for one year the Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire at the end of the year. Republicans have rejected the proposal, saying that the health insurance tax credits should be discussed independently when the shutdown ends.

Schumer pitched the plan, saying, “What the Senate is doing isn’t working for either party and isn’t working for the American people.”

His statements came just before a possible vote on a Republican-backed bill to fund the government.

The minority leader’s proposal would also create a bipartisan commission to examine health care issues.

The majority leader was not on board, and Thune spokesman Ryan Wrasse wrote on X that the proposal shows “cracks are forming.”

“Extending the COVID bonuses is the negotiation—something that can only take place after the government reopens. Release the hostage. End the pain,” he said.

Trump has called for an end to the filibuster option in the Senate, saying it will be “impossible” for Republicans to move forward with the Senate rule in place.

The president said Republicans will be unable to get “Common Sense Policies done” with the Democrats blocking them by withholding votes.

Currently, the filibuster has been invoked, which means the bill requires a 60-vote margin to pass instead of a simple majority.

Nathan Worcester contributed to this report.

From The Epoch Times