Senate Rejects Bills to Pay Federal Workers During Shutdown

The U.S. Senate rejected competing partisan bills on Thursday that would have provided payment to federal workers during the ongoing government shutdown. Republicans blocked Democrats' proposal for a voice vote on legislation to pay all federal workers, while Democrats subsequently voted down a Republican bill that would have paid only employees who are working and not furloughed. The votes occurred on day 23 of the shutdown, with many federal employees expected to miss their first full paycheck this week.