The U.S. Senate rejected competing partisan bills aimed at paying some federal employees amid the ongoing government shutdown, now in its 23rd day. The failure highlights deepening partisan divides as essential workers, including air traffic controllers and TSA agents, continue laboring without pay. Aviation groups have urged Congress to end the shutdown before Thanksgiving travel strains the system further.
On October 23, 2025, the Senate failed to advance two rival measures to provide paychecks to federal workers during the government shutdown, which has lasted 23 days and ranks as the second-longest in U.S. history. The Republican-backed "Shutdown Fairness Act" sought to compensate essential employees such as troops, TSA agents, and federal law enforcement, who are working without pay. It fell short of the 60 votes needed to proceed.
Democrats countered with the "True Shutdown Fairness Act," sponsored by Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., which would pay all federal employees and prevent mass layoffs by the Trump administration's Office of Management and Budget. Republicans blocked this version from a vote. "We certainly shouldn't set up a system where the president of the United States gets to decide what agencies to shut down, who to pay and who not to pay, who to punish, who not to punish," Van Hollen said.
Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., who introduced the GOP measure, argued, "I don't think we should limit the president's ability, the chief executive's ability, to properly manage the federal government, and make the tough decisions sometimes to reduce the workforce." Earlier in the month, the White House fired several thousand employees, a move later halted by courts.
The shutdown's impact on aviation has intensified calls for resolution. About 13,000 air traffic controllers and TSA agents are working unpaid. Major pilots associations, including the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (representing 11,000 pilots), the Air Line Pilots Association (80,000 pilots), the Allied Pilots Association (16,000 American Airlines pilots), and the NetJets Association (3,700 pilots), issued statements urging Congress to pass a clean continuing resolution.
"Considering the strain on our nation’s aviation system, SWAPA strongly urges Congress to pass a clean Continuing Resolution to fund the government," said Capt. Jody Reven, SWAPA president. He noted the pressure on controllers and TSA workers, adding they "deserve our full support and the certainty of a paycheck."
The Air Line Pilots Association warned the shutdown is "undermining our system’s safety," with resources stretched thin. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted risks to flights, saying, "I can't guarantee you that your flight's going to be on time. I can't guarantee you that your flight's not going to be cancelled."
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt cautioned that continued shutdown could lead to significant holiday disruptions, while spokeswoman Taylor Rogers criticized Democrats for using the impasse as leverage. Senate Republicans push a House-passed temporary funding bill, but Democrats seek extensions for health insurance subsidies. With Thanksgiving approaching and programs like SNAP facing shortfalls, plus ACA premium increases, leaders remain deadlocked after 12 Senate votes on the GOP plan.