Democrats on Thursday blocked legislation proposed by a conservative Republican senator to pay some federal workers, like the military, during the government shutdown, which they argued would let President Donald Trump pick and choose who does or does not get a paycheck.
The Senate voted 54-45 on legislation introduced by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) to pay excepted federal workers — those who must keep working even while no checks are being cut — on the 23rd day of the government shutdown.
