The Senate on Friday voted and failed to advance a bill that would exempt essential workers and military personnel from the government shutdown.
The Republican-backed bill received just 53 votes in favor against 43 votes, falling short of the 60 votes needed to pass the bill, which would provide funds for federal agencies to pay excepted workers – meaning those required to work during the shutdown.
Under current law, even excepted employees do not receive their pay until after the shutdown ends, and the bill would have specified that such employees include certain contractors who support federal employees during a government shutdown and members of the Armed Forces who are on active duty.
Three Democrats broke ranks and voted with Republicans to try and advance the bill, including Senators Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico, Jon Ossoff of Georgia, and Raphael Warnock of Georgia. All other Democrats, except John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, voted against the bill.
Four senators did not vote, including Fetterman: Senators John Cornyn of Texas, Jerry Moran of Kansas, and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama – all Republicans except Fetterman.
This is a breaking news story. Updates will follow.
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