The government shutdown stretched into Day 23 on Thursday as the Senate failed to advance a measure to pay some federal workers.

The Senate on Thursday is voting on whether to pay some federal employees, including service members, as the government shutdown stretches into its fourth week. The plight of military families has been central to the GOP’s shutdown strategy,

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is already eyeing more votes that pay segments of the federal workforce.

The Senate again voted down the House-passed funding bill to reopen the federal government Wednesday. The 12th vote on the legislation failed 54-46. It followed a 22-hour speech from Sen. Jeff