Democrats Block Bill to Pay Workers as Shutdown Fight Drags On

Senate Democrats blocked a measure aimed at paying federal workers and troops during the shutdown in the latest sign of lasting divisions as the stalemate drags on.

The Senate voted 53-43 against advancing a bill (S. 3012) on Friday from Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) to pay federal employees and troops who’ve been forced to work without pay since the shutdown began Oct. 1. Johnson, who attempted to negotiate on the measure after it failed in an earlier vote, said he would add furloughed workers to appease complaints. But Democrats said they still had concerns that the bill gives ...