Federal workers continue to perform their job functions during the extended, Democrat shutdown, and some members of Congress are trying their hardest to make sure they still receive paychecks.

According to the New York Post, the party that claims to be "for the people" isn't being very people-friendly, as Democrats just shot down a bill that would ensure a large number of "excepted" workers and members of the military get their next paychecks. 

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) introduced the Shutdown Fairness Act to make sure "excepted workers," another term for essential personnel as determined by the independent Office of Personnel Management, and our troops receive their next paycheck.

Unfortunately, the bill failed to clear the 60-vote threshold to break the filibuster, falling short with a 54-45 final vote.

What's going on?

Only three Democrats, Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), voted in favor of passing Johnson's bill that would provide paychecks to hard-working Americans who don't know if their bills will be paid next month.

“We are forcing about 2.8 million federal workers to work. Military, law enforcement, people who write Social Security checks, air traffic controllers, keeping our skies safe," the Wisconsin senator said in a floor speech this week.

Johnson added, “We’re not paying them. That’s absurd. Now, what’s even more absurd is they will get paid, whether they’re working or furloughed."

The Post noted:

Under the Government Fair Treatment Act of 2019, federal workers are required to get back pay after the conclusion of a government shutdown, leading Johnson to argue that his measure would not cost taxpayers extra.

The measure would have taken the pressure off of President Donald Trump to scramble and find more funds to at least get the troops paid, as he did last pay period by redirecting an undisclosed amount of Pentagon research and development money.

It's unclear at this time whether or not the president has the option to do that for the upcoming Oct. 31 pay period.

Social media reacts

Users across social media reacted to the Democrats' decision to shut down the vote that would have kept those workers paid.

"They don’t care. They think this gives them leverage- with who I have no idea," one X user wrote.

Another X user wrote, "Common sense and common courtesy seem to be concepts that elude the Democrats."

It'll be interesting to see how much longer Democrats choose to play games with the livelihoods of hard-working Americans.