UPDATE: Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer has sharply criticized Senate Republicans for their handling of the ongoing government shutdown, following a failed vote on a crucial bill that would have guaranteed pay for military and federal workers. On his podcast, Spicer stated, “Senate Republicans should be embarrassed by how bad they’re messaging this,” underscoring the urgency of the situation.
The proposed legislation, known as the Shutdown Fairness Act of 2025, introduced by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), fell short of the necessary 60 votes, receiving only 54-45 support. This bill aimed to ensure continued pay for “excepted” federal employees, including active-duty military personnel, TSA agents, park rangers, air traffic controllers, and Border Patrol officers. The failure to advance the bill prompted Spicer to call the Republican response “literally the lamest response” he had ever witnessed.
Spicer emphasized the necessity for Republicans to take a stronger stance, criticizing their decision to “vote and bolt” instead of publicly supporting military members and federal workers during this critical time. “The idea that they voted and bolted is an embarrassment to the Republican Party,” he declared.
In response, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) dismissed the Shutdown Fairness Act as a “ruse,” suggesting it would give former Trump budget director Russell Vought undue authority over federal employees. “We will not give Donald Trump a license to play politics with people’s livelihoods,” Schumer asserted, highlighting the contentious nature of this legislative battle.
The government shutdown, currently affecting numerous federal services and employees, continues to impact thousands, raising concerns about the financial stability of military and federal workers. As the situation unfolds, the implications of this legislative failure resonate deeply within Washington D.C. and across the nation.
With the clock ticking, all eyes are now on Senate Republicans and their next moves in this ongoing crisis. How they respond could determine the fate of federal workers and military personnel during this challenging period. Stay tuned as we monitor further developments in this urgent situation.
