Senate Democrats on Friday voted down a Republican-led effort to pay federal workers and military personnel while the government shutdown entered its 37th day.
The motion, introduced by Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), sought to invoke cloture on legislation that would have ensured continued pay for government employees and service members despite the ongoing budget impasse.
The motion failed by a vote of 53–43, falling short of the 60 votes required to advance.
Three Democratic senators—Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico and Georgia’s Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock—broke with their party to vote in favor of moving the bill forward.
GOP bill to pay feds/military during gov shutdowns fails Senate procedural vote 53-43. Dems Lujan, Ossoff, and Warnock crossed over to vote in support.
— Ramsey Touchberry (@ramsberry1) November 7, 2025
However, their support was not enough to overcome opposition from Senate leadership and the majority of Democrats, who argued that such measures would remove pressure to end the shutdown.
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The defeat came amid renewed debate on the Senate floor over competing proposals to reopen the government.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) earlier in the day had floated a deal that would fund the government in exchange for a one-year extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies originally enacted during the COVID-19 era.
Republicans quickly rejected the proposal, calling it unrelated to the spending negotiations and arguing that it would add billions in new federal costs.
Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) dismissed Schumer’s offer and instead introduced two separate bills aimed at holding lawmakers accountable during the shutdown.
Kennedy’s legislation would suspend paychecks for members of Congress and senators until the government reopens.
“I think we’re just going to have to get used to the fact that we’ve been in a shutdown, and we’re going to be in a shutdown for a while,” Kennedy said in a separate interview earlier this week.
Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R-SD) indicated after the vote that negotiations on a broader government funding measure remain at an impasse.
“It remains to be seen if something comes together for the Senate to vote on tomorrow,” Thune told reporters, according to Punchbowl News correspondent Samantha Handler.
“Fingers crossed,” he added when asked about the status of ongoing discussions over the pending appropriations package.
Following the vote, Thune adjourned the Senate until Saturday.
Thune just adjourned the Senate till tomorrow, with no votes scheduled
He placed on the calendar a bill to rescind unused COVID funding
— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) November 7, 2025
According to HuffPost reporter Igor Bobic, Thune also placed on the Senate calendar a new bill that would rescind unused COVID-19 relief funds from states—a move Republicans say could save billions in unspent federal dollars.
The measure could become part of a larger GOP push to reduce wasteful pandemic-era spending while continuing negotiations over government funding.
The proposal to reclaim unused COVID relief funds reflects a growing Republican effort to offset new spending by targeting unallocated or expired federal appropriations from previous years.
The issue has been a consistent point of disagreement between the parties, with Democrats opposing cuts to programs they say still serve public needs.
The current government shutdown began more than a month ago amid disagreements over long-term budget priorities, border security funding, and healthcare-related provisions.
Democrats have insisted that any deal to reopen the government must include extensions of the Affordable Care Act subsidies, while Republicans have focused on spending reductions and border enforcement measures.
As the standoff continues, federal workers across multiple agencies remain furloughed or working without pay, and certain military operations face delays in compensation.
While both sides have introduced legislation aimed at mitigating the impact, none have secured enough bipartisan support to advance through Congress.
With the Senate set to reconvene on Saturday, lawmakers are expected to continue negotiations over a potential short-term continuing resolution or a broader funding package.
🚨BREAKING: Democrats in Congress are FURIOUS
John Thune is keeping the Senate in session all weekend.
GOOD.
pic.twitter.com/Irr9w8y0Vg— Jack (@jackunheard) November 8, 2025
For now, the deadlock between Senate Democrats and Republicans shows little sign of easing, leaving the government partially shuttered for a 38th day as talks resume through the weekend.
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