Sen. Ron Johnson Seeks Bipartisan Deal for Federal Employee Pay Amid Shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senator Ron Johnson, R-Wis., expressed hope for a bipartisan agreement to pay federal employees as soon as this weekend. His remarks came after a Republican-led proposal aimed at compensating employees during the ongoing government shutdown failed in the Senate on October 23, 2025.

The Shutdown Fairness Act, introduced by Johnson, sought to provide immediate pay to excepted employees who have been working without compensation since the funding lapse began on October 1. However, the bill was voted down 54-45, largely due to Democratic opposition. The Republicans’ efforts fell short of the 60 votes needed to invoke cloture and push the bill to a final vote.

The plan received some bipartisan support, with three Democratic senators — John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) — breaking ranks to back the motion. Notably, however, Senator Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., abstained from voting.

Opponents, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, criticized the legislation, arguing it could grant President Donald Trump excessive control over federal pay during the shutdown. Schumer described the effort as a “ruse” intended to prolong the shutdown and harm federal workers.

In response to the failed vote, Senators Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and Gary Peters, D-Mich., introduced two alternative proposals. Their “True Shutdown Fairness Act” aimed to offer compensation to all federally employed individuals affected by the shutdown, including furloughed workers and military personnel. This bill also sought to prevent any further reductions in federal staff during the shutdown.

According to Van Hollen, the current Republican proposal unfairly excludes furloughed employees, asserting, “The proposals we are putting forward say that in this government shutdown, federal employees… should not be the ones to bear the burden.”

Despite the setback, Johnson remained optimistic about reaching a compromise, stating, “We’re basically in agreement here… I think we can fix it over the weekend.” He emphasized the importance of ensuring furloughed workers receive pay and expressed a desire for Congress to have a role in decisions regarding federal employee compensation.

Many federal employees are bracing for missed paychecks as the shutdown proceeds, with reports indicating they may miss their first full pay period. While excepted employees are guaranteed retroactive pay once the shutdown concludes, the Biden administration has raised concerns about the assurance for furloughed workers.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy conveyed the strain of the situation, stressing that air traffic controllers face significant financial pressures without assurance of timely paychecks. He indicated that service disruptions could arise as employees juggle responsibilities, such as mortgages and other expenses.

Amid the ongoing stalemate, labor representatives like Dave Spero of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists union echoed the call for an end to the shutdown itself, stating, “Clearly, we want people to get paid, but quite honestly, what we want is the shutdown to end.”

The situation remains tense as both parties appear locked in a stalemate with no clear signs of resolution. Johnson’s push for a unified approach to compensate federal workers continues as negotiations evolve.