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The Shutdown Fairness Act proposes a change to how federal workers are paid during a government shutdown. Currently, employees deemed essential or excepted are required to work without pay until the shutdown ends and the government reopened. This bill would provide the necessary funding to ensure these individuals receive their standard pay, benefits, and allowances on their regular schedule while they are working.
The proposal would apply to federal employees, active-duty members of the Armed Forces, and certain contractors who support federal operations. By providing these appropriations, the bill aims to prevent financial hardship for those who must continue their duties during a funding lapse. It specifies that these funds can only be used during a shutdown and would not apply when regular government funding is already in place.
If enacted, the bill would be applied retroactively to September 30, 2025. This means that even if a shutdown had already begun or occurred shortly before the bill became law, the payment protections would still apply to the workers involved. While the bill has been introduced and discussed in the Senate, it has not yet passed and therefore does not currently have the force of law.
AI-generated summary
Motion to proceed to consideration of the motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 3012 was not invoked (Record Vote No. 585) agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote. (CR S7996)
Nov 7, 2025
Motion by Senator Thune to reconsider the vote by which cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 3012 was not invoked (Record Vote No. 585) agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote. (CR S7996)
Nov 7, 2025
Upon reconsideration, cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 43. Record Vote Number: 609.
Nov 7, 2025
On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed
On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed
On November 7, 2025, the Senate voted 53-43 on a cloture motion to proceed to S. 3012, the Shutdown Fairness Act. The vote fell short of the 60-vote threshold required to invoke cloture and begin formal consideration of the bill. This means the Senate will not move forward with debating the legislation at this time. The vote was largely partisan. All 50 Republicans present voted in favor of proceeding, joined by 3 Democrats. However, 41 Democrats opposed the motion. Because cloture failed, the bill is blocked at the earliest stage of the legislative process—the Senate cannot even begin discussing it on the floor. With the motion rejected, the Shutdown Fairness Act cannot advance unless supporters pursue alternative procedural strategies or secure additional votes to reach the 60-vote threshold in a future attempt.
Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 54 - 45. Record Vote Number: 585. (CR S7720)
Oct 23, 2025
Motion by Senator Thune to reconsider the vote by which cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 3012 was not invoked (Record Vote No. 585) made in Senate.
Oct 23, 2025
On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed
On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed
On October 23, 2025, the Senate voted 54-45 on a cloture motion to proceed to S. 3012, the Shutdown Fairness Act. The vote fell short of the 60-vote threshold required to invoke cloture and allow the Senate to begin formal consideration of the bill. This was not a vote on the bill itself, but rather on whether the Senate would even start debating it. The vote was largely partisan. Fifty-one Republicans supported moving forward, while one Republican opposed. Among Democrats, only three supported the motion while 42 opposed it. Because cloture failed, the Senate cannot proceed to debate the legislation under current rules. With the motion to proceed blocked, the Shutdown Fairness Act cannot advance to the Senate floor at this time. Supporters would need to either secure additional votes or pursue alternative procedural strategies to bring the measure up for consideration.
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S7184-7185)
Oct 21, 2025
Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S7185)
Oct 21, 2025
Motion to proceed to consideration of the motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 3012 was not invoked (Record Vote No. 585) agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote. (CR S7996)
Nov 7, 2025
Motion by Senator Thune to reconsider the vote by which cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 3012 was not invoked (Record Vote No. 585) agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote. (CR S7996)
Nov 7, 2025
Upon reconsideration, cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 43. Record Vote Number: 609.
Nov 7, 2025
On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed
On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed
On November 7, 2025, the Senate voted 53-43 on a cloture motion to proceed to S. 3012, the Shutdown Fairness Act. The vote fell short of the 60-vote threshold required to invoke cloture and begin formal consideration of the bill. This means the Senate will not move forward with debating the legislation at this time. The vote was largely partisan. All 50 Republicans present voted in favor of proceeding, joined by 3 Democrats. However, 41 Democrats opposed the motion. Because cloture failed, the bill is blocked at the earliest stage of the legislative process—the Senate cannot even begin discussing it on the floor. With the motion rejected, the Shutdown Fairness Act cannot advance unless supporters pursue alternative procedural strategies or secure additional votes to reach the 60-vote threshold in a future attempt.
Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 54 - 45. Record Vote Number: 585. (CR S7720)
Oct 23, 2025
Motion by Senator Thune to reconsider the vote by which cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 3012 was not invoked (Record Vote No. 585) made in Senate.
Oct 23, 2025
On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed
On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed
On October 23, 2025, the Senate voted 54-45 on a cloture motion to proceed to S. 3012, the Shutdown Fairness Act. The vote fell short of the 60-vote threshold required to invoke cloture and allow the Senate to begin formal consideration of the bill. This was not a vote on the bill itself, but rather on whether the Senate would even start debating it. The vote was largely partisan. Fifty-one Republicans supported moving forward, while one Republican opposed. Among Democrats, only three supported the motion while 42 opposed it. Because cloture failed, the Senate cannot proceed to debate the legislation under current rules. With the motion to proceed blocked, the Shutdown Fairness Act cannot advance to the Senate floor at this time. Supporters would need to either secure additional votes or pursue alternative procedural strategies to bring the measure up for consideration.
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S7184-7185)
Oct 21, 2025
Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S7185)
Oct 21, 2025
No committee referrals recorded.
No CBO cost estimate has been published for this bill.