The Senate on Thursday rejected a pair of bills that would have paid military servicemembers, along with some or all federal workers during the shutdown.
Why it matters: Republicans and Democrats wouldn't back each other's proposals, leaving the Senate still deadlocked on any solution to open the government.
- A GOP-led proposal that would pay federal employees who are having to work through the shutdown, along with military members and contractors, failed to get the 60 votes needed to break a filibuster.
- And Republicans rejected a request for unanimous consent to pass a Democratic alternative, which would pay all federal workers, including those on furlough. It also would block the White House from laying off more federal workers while the government is closed.
- Just three Democrats voted to advance the Republican bill: Pennsylvania's John Fetterman and Georgia's Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock. Ossoff is up for reelection next year.
The big picture: After the failed vote on Thursday, lawmakers are leaving Washington for the weekend without any progress toward a deal to re-open the government.
- Both sides are waiting for the other to blink. President Trump this week rejected a meeting with Democratic leaders, while Democrats have rejected GOP demands that they open the government as a precursor to negotiating on health care subsidies.
- And while the Senate continues to stall, the House has been out of Washington for almost a month. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) so far has resisted some internal pressure to bring lawmakers back.
Between the lines: The Republican-led proposal to pay federal workers and troops during the shutdown was led by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.).
- The Democratic alternative was offered by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).
