Senate Democrats on Friday blocked a Republican proposal that would have guaranteed pay for all federal employees — including those currently furloughed — for the duration of the government shutdown, intensifying partisan tensions as the standoff entered another week.
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) sought unanimous consent to pass his legislation, which aimed to ensure that both working and furloughed federal employees, as well as members of the military, would continue to receive their paychecks as long as the shutdown persisted. The bill was swiftly blocked by Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), who raised objections on the floor.
“I’m concerned that Sen. Johnson’s bill still leaves too much discretion up to President Trump,” Peters said, explaining his decision. “There’s too much wiggle room for the administration to basically pick and choose which federal employees are paid and when.”
Johnson, visibly frustrated, countered that he had “dramatically” altered the legislation in recent weeks to address Democratic concerns and win their support. He also emphasized that “scores of unions” had endorsed the proposal — an unusual coalition that underscored the bill’s broad potential appeal beyond partisan lines.
“I’ve gone out of my way to make this bipartisan,” Johnson said. “Federal workers should not be punished for political dysfunction. This is about fairness, not politics.”
The objection drew a sharp rebuke from Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), who took to the floor moments later in an uncharacteristically impassioned speech.
“This is a straightforward approach that addresses that issue,” Thune said, his voice rising. “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.”
Thune’s remarks reflected growing frustration among Republicans, who have accused Democrats of using federal employees as leverage in negotiations over unrelated policy priorities. GOP lawmakers argue that guaranteeing pay during the shutdown would help families weather the impasse while maintaining critical government operations.
Peters, who has participated in bipartisan discussions aimed at finding a broader compromise, said his objection stemmed from procedural and oversight concerns. However, those talks appeared to have collapsed on Thursday, leaving both sides blaming each other for the deadlock.
Republicans framed the Democratic objection as evidence that party leaders are more interested in sustaining political pressure than in protecting government workers from financial hardship. “Democrats say they stand with working Americans,” one GOP aide said after the vote, “but today they blocked a bill that would have done exactly that.”
The episode highlighted the political risks for both parties as the shutdown drags on. While Democrats insist they are pushing for a comprehensive reopening of government, Republicans are betting that voters will see their proposal — and the Democrats’ rejection of it — as a clear sign of misplaced priorities in Washington.
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