GOP Blocks Controversial Bill
Wisconsin Senator Stands With Trump Administration, Demands Accountability Before Paychecks Flow
Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin) is standing firm against what he calls another Washington spending spree disguised as compassion. On Thursday, Johnson blocked two Democrat-sponsored bills that would have automatically paid every federal worker, contractor, and military member during the ongoing 2025 government shutdown — without any real debate or oversight.
Democrats, led by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland) and Sen. Gary Peters (D-Michigan), tried to push through their bills using unanimous consent — a tactic often used to skip debate. Their proposals, the True Shutdown Fairness Act and the Military and Federal Employee Protection Act, aimed to send blanket payments to hundreds of thousands of federal employees even as large parts of government remain shuttered.
But Johnson said “no.” The Wisconsin Republican, who has long pushed for fiscal sanity in Washington, said the bills were “too broad, too rushed, and too irresponsible” to pass without full Senate review.
“Passing massive spending bills without debate is not the way to govern,” Johnson said on the Senate floor. “We need accountability, not automatic payouts.”
Johnson’s Alternative: Pay the Heroes Who Keep America Running
Johnson’s Shutdown Fairness Act — backed by the Trump administration — takes a different approach. It ensures that active-duty military, air traffic controllers, TSA agents, and other essential personnel continue receiving paychecks during the shutdown.
“Let’s prioritize those who are actually keeping America safe,” Johnson argued. “We can’t just throw taxpayer dollars at the problem and call it a solution.”
Democrats, meanwhile, accused Republicans of prolonging the shutdown. Van Hollen blasted House Republicans as being “AWOL” while federal employees miss paychecks — comments that many conservatives saw as more political theater than substance.
Democrats Push Blanket Payments — Johnson Calls It Irresponsible
Sen. Peters followed up with another Democratic bill to fast-track missed paychecks to federal workers and contractors within seven days. Johnson blocked that measure, too — saying he and Peters “agree 90 percent” on the goal but disagree on how to do it responsibly.
He urged Democrats to support his targeted plan instead of pushing through sweeping, unread bills.
“Let’s pass a bill that’s been reviewed, debated, and actually helps the people who are working without pay right now,” Johnson said.
Johnson’s position reflects a broader Republican commitment to fiscal responsibility — ensuring that any government action, even during a shutdown, is done carefully and transparently.
Washington’s Spending Battle Continues
As the shutdown drags on, Johnson’s stand has made him a leading voice for restraint in Congress. While Democrats demand mass payouts and accuse Republicans of obstruction, Johnson is reminding America that real leadership means saying “no” when Washington wants to say “spend.”
