URGENT UPDATE: Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer has sharply criticized Senate Republicans for their failure to advance the Shutdown Fairness Act, a crucial bill that would have guaranteed pay for military and federal workers during the ongoing government shutdown. Just moments ago, Spicer expressed his disappointment on his podcast, stating, “Senate Republicans should be embarrassed by how bad they’re messaging this.”
The bill, introduced by Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), was defeated in the Senate with a final vote of 54-45, falling short of the 60 votes needed to proceed. It aimed to ensure continued pay for “excepted” federal employees, including active-duty troops, TSA agents, park rangers, air traffic controllers, and Border Patrol officers. The defeat comes as the government remains in shutdown, directly impacting the livelihoods of thousands of federal workers.
Spicer lambasted Republicans, calling their response “literally the lamest response” he had ever witnessed. He emphasized that they should have been more visible and vocal, stating, “They should have been out on the steps last night with military members and Border Patrol.” His remarks underscore a growing frustration within the party regarding messaging and strategy during this critical time.
The bill faced staunch opposition from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who dismissed it as a “ruse.” Schumer argued that the legislation would grant undue authority to Donald Trump’s budget director, Russell Vought, saying, “We will not give Donald Trump a license to play politics with people’s livelihoods.”
This political standoff not only highlights the divisions within Congress but also raises questions about the future of federal employee pay amid the shutdown. As the situation develops, the urgency for a resolution grows, with many federal workers facing uncertainty about their next paycheck.
What happens next? Lawmakers will need to regroup and reassess their strategies to address this pressing issue. With the government shutdown now impacting countless lives, all eyes will be on the Senate to see if they can reach a bipartisan agreement that ensures the necessary support for federal employees.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds, and follow us for the latest developments in this urgent matter.
