^{Photo: New Hampshire Bulletin}

As the federal government shutdown drags on, the U.S. Senate on Thursday failed to advance a bill that would have funded the Department of Defense and guaranteed pay for more than 2 million active-duty service members and defense personnel. The measure, which had already passed the House of Representatives, was blocked in a procedural vote that underscored Washington’s growing political gridlock.

The vote tally stood at 50–44, falling short of the 60 votes required to overcome a filibuster. The defeat leaves military families and civilian defense workers uncertain about their pay as negotiations between Republicans and Democrats stall for another day.

A Divided Senate and a Tactical Move

The bill’s collapse came just hours after a separate Senate proposal to fund the entire government also failed. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), who ultimately voted “no” as a procedural maneuver to allow for a potential re-vote, criticized Democrats for what he described as “irresponsible obstruction.”

“Filibustering a defense appropriations bill — one that should easily receive 80 votes — shows the level of dysfunction we’re seeing right now,” Thune said, arguing that national security funding should be above partisan politics.

Only three Democrats joined most Republicans in supporting the measure. However, several Democratic senators said they could not back the House-passed version because it included controversial provisions that roll back vaccine mandates, restrict abortion access for service members, and eliminate aid for Ukraine.

Democrats Push for a Clean, Bipartisan Bill

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) made clear his stance: “I will vote yes on a military appropriations bill to pay our men and women in uniform — but not one filled with partisan poison pills.”

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), one of the few Democrats who voted in favor of the bill, called for restoring bipartisanship to the appropriations process. “It’s critical that Congress rebuild trust and move forward together,” she said. “The bipartisan defense bill drafted in the Senate would ensure our troops are paid and that our national security remains intact.”

House Democrats had already opposed the measure when it passed the lower chamber in July. Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), the top Democrat on the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, said the House version “undermines U.S. commitments abroad and jeopardizes key defense programs,” pointing to its removal of Ukraine assistance and public health protections.

Shutdown Impact Widens

The failed vote adds further pressure as the shutdown enters another week, with critical services slowed and federal workers facing delayed paychecks. According to the Office of Management and Budget, the shutdown affects roughly 800,000 civilian federal employees, including about 400,000 Defense Department civilians.

Military personnel are still required to work but will not receive pay until Congress passes funding legislation. The Defense Department estimates that if the impasse continues, more than $10 billion in military pay could be delayed over the next month.

Analysts warn that prolonged uncertainty could strain morale within the armed forces and harm defense readiness. “Troops showing up to work without pay while politicians argue sends the wrong message — both to our allies and adversaries,” said Mark Cancian, a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

What’s Next

With both chambers deadlocked, leaders from both parties are expected to meet again over the weekend to negotiate a short-term funding bill. However, partisan divisions over Ukraine aid, reproductive rights, and spending limits remain major sticking points.

For now, the Pentagon and its employees wait in limbo as lawmakers continue their standoff. As Sen. Shaheen put it, “We can and should move forward on bipartisan appropriations, even as we work to prevent millions of Americans from facing unnecessary hardship.”