Senate Democrats tank shutdown vote on pay for federal workers

The Senate rejected a bill Thursday that would pay troops and federal employees working during the shutdown, leaving Republicans stuck in a logjam centered on Democrats’ healthcare demands.

In a 54-45 vote, Democrats blocked the Shutdown Fairness Act, sponsored by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), arguing it gives the White House too much authority to decide who gets paid with agencies shuttered. Besides military personnel, the measure would have funded “excepted” federal workers, meaning those who are not furloughed.