Senate Fails to Advance Bill to Pay Essential Workers During Shutdown

Source: Newsweek

Published Nov 07, 2025 at 08:00 PM EST updated Nov 07, 2025 at 08:31 PM EST


The Senate on Friday voted and failed to advance a bill that would exempt essential workers and military personnel from the government shutdown.

A modified version of Republican Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin's "Shutdown Fairness Act" bill received just 53 votes in favor against 43 votes, falling short of the 60 votes needed to pass the bill, which would provide funds for federal agencies to pay excepted workers - meaning those required to work during the shutdown.

Why It Matters

Under current law, even excepted employees do not receive their pay until after the longest-ever U.S. shutdown ends, and the bill would have specified that such employees include certain contractors who support federal employees during a government shutdown and members of the Armed Forces who are on active duty.

What To Know

Three Democrats broke ranks and voted with Republicans to try and advance Friday's bill, including Senators Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico, Jon Ossoff of Georgia, and Raphael Warnock of Georgia. Four senators did not vote, including Democrat John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas, Jerry Moran of Kansas, and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama also did not vote.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/senate-fails-advance-bill-pay-essential-workers-shutdown-11014689