The Senate recently attempted to advance a GOP-backed measure that would allow federal employees to be paid during a shutdown of the federal government. The bill failed, reaching a tally of 54-45 with three Democrats abstaining and three others crossing the aisle to collaborate with Republicans.
Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) voted for the bill, alongside Senator John Fetterman (D-PA). The bill, introduced by Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), is titled the Shutdown Fairness Act and is also known as Senate Resolution 3012.
The bill provides appropriations to pay federal employees who work during a government shutdown. Specifically, the bill provides appropriations for federal agencies to provide standard rates of pay, allowances, benefits, and other payments to excepted employees for work performed during any period in which interim continuing appropriations or full-year appropriations are not in effect.
To clarify, an excepted employee is an employee who is required to work during a government shutdown. Under current law, excepted employees are not paid until the government shutdown is over.
Representative Rich McCormick (R-GA) responded to this development with nothing but criticism for Senate Democrats. He accused them of catering to their far-left base and leaving working Americans to fend for themselves.
Essential federal workers are showing up to serve the American people; the least we can do is pay them.@SenateDems just voted against a bill that would do precisely that. Instead, they’re catering to their Far-Left base while hardworking Americans struggle.
— Congressman Rich McCormick, MBA MD (@RepMcCormick) October 23, 2025
Representative Andrew Clyde (R-GA) made similar remarks but specifically mentioned the number of air traffic controllers and how the shutdown disrupts their work. To Clyde, Senate Democrats are using these safety concerns for political leverage.
Roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers are working without pay, with staff shortages leading to flight disruptions and travel delays.
Yet Democrats don’t care if their government shutdown risks your safety or causes you stress.
The Left views your pain as their political gain.
— Rep. Andrew Clyde (@Rep_Clyde) October 23, 2025
