As the government shutdown stretches into its ninth day, Senate Democrats are actively pushing to ensure that not only military personnel but also civilian employees receive their paychecks on time. On Thursday, the Senate rejected a stopgap funding bill for the seventh time, which would have allowed the government to reopen through November 21. With the shutdown continuing, lawmakers are facing mounting pressure to address the financial concerns of those affected.
By the middle of next week, if the government remains closed, many employees in both the military and civilian sectors will see part of their paychecks withheld due to the ongoing shutdown. Lawmakers from both parties have expressed a desire to prevent this situation, particularly for the armed forces. Democratic lawmakers are proposing legislative solutions to ensure that military personnel receive their pay on schedule, a sentiment echoed by nearly 80 House Democrats who signed a letter urging Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to bring the bipartisan Pay Our Troops Act (H.R. 5401) to a vote. This crucial measure, introduced last month by Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), has garnered support from 148 cosponsors across party lines and seeks to guarantee normal pay schedules for military members, Defense Department civilians, contractors, and U.S. Coast Guard staff.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has publicly supported the initiative to ensure timely pay for military personnel, drawing parallels to similar actions taken during the 2013 shutdown. However, the House remains on recess, and Speaker Johnson has yet to commit to calling members back for a vote on the Pay Our Troops Act.
In the Senate, some Democrats are advocating for a more comprehensive approach that extends beyond military pay. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) emphasized the importance of providing financial assurance not only to military personnel but also to other essential public safety and national security workers. “We must consider a range of jobs that are vital to the core functions of our government,” he stated.
Additionally, Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) proposed targeting billionaires with a new tax to raise revenue, ensuring military members and air traffic controllers receive timely pay during the shutdown. He suggested that lawmakers should engage in discussions about including other essential workers in this initiative.
The ongoing shutdown has significantly impacted the Federal Aviation Administration, reporting an increase in absenteeism among air traffic controllers. As employees grapple with the prospect of working without pay, many are beginning to call out more frequently. Currently, over 1.5 million civilian federal employees are working during the shutdown and are facing delays in receiving their pay until the government reopens. An additional 620,000 employees are furloughed, and while they are guaranteed back pay, there have been threats from the Trump administration to withhold these funds.
Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.) indicated that lawmakers are actively discussing which workers could be authorized for immediate pay if the shutdown persists. He expressed a desire for all essential government employees, including air traffic controllers and TSA agents, to receive their paychecks on time. However, not all Democrats agree on the approach. Senator Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) expressed support for ensuring military pay but acknowledged the need to make tough choices regarding civilian employees, stating, “It sucks… but we have to make choices.”
Meanwhile, Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) is evaluating various proposals to ensure military members are not left without paychecks, though he highlighted that civilian employees would not receive the same consideration, as they are guaranteed back pay.
When asked about the implications of prioritizing military pay over civilian pay during the shutdown, Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) remarked, “Not a good one.” Many Democrats have refrained from taking a definitive stance on immediate pay authorization, emphasizing instead that Republicans must engage in negotiations to reopen the government and prevent paycheck delays for all workers.
To alleviate the financial strain caused by the shutdown, a group of senators has introduced legislation aimed at urging financial institution regulators to recommend that banks and credit unions assist federal workers by preventing late payments, overdraft fees, or credit damage. They have also reached out to utility companies, encouraging them not to shut off services for federal workers who may miss payments while the government remains closed.
As the situation unfolds, President Trump has continued to threaten significant cuts to government programs that he claims support “Democrat programs.” While the White House has hinted at widespread layoffs during a shutdown, such measures have not yet been implemented.
