The largest federal workers’ union in the country just made a surprising move in the ongoing government shutdown. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which represents about 800,000 federal workers, is now urging the Senate to pass a clean continuing resolution and end the shutdown. This puts pressure on Democrats, who have been holding out for more conditions tied to the funding package.
AFGE usually leans Democrat and often supports Democratic candidates and policies. But this time, they’re calling on both parties to put politics aside and get the government running again.
According to the Daily Wire, AFGE National President Everett Kelley released a statement Monday saying, “It’s time for our leaders to start focusing on how to solve problems for the American people, rather than on who is going to get the blame for a shutdown that Americans dislike,” calling the shutdown “an avoidable crisis that is harming families, communities, and the very institutions that hold our country together.”
He didn’t blame one party over the other, but he did say that it’s time for leaders to solve problems instead of worrying about blame.
🚨 HOLY CRAP! The country’s LARGEST federal workers’ union just demanded Chuck Schumer and Democrats REOPEN the government by passing the Republican clean CR
They represent nearly a MILLION workers!
American Federation of Government Employees President: “It’s time to pass a… pic.twitter.com/06F4ftX6md
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 27, 2025
In Washington, more than 1.4 million federal employees missed a paycheck last week, according to House Speaker Mike Johnson. He spoke at a press conference Monday morning and said the House passed a clean resolution to keep the government open over a month ago. Now, he says, it’s up to the Senate to act.
The House-passed measure doesn’t include extra policy provisions. That’s something Senate Republicans and now AFGE are pushing for — a simple vote to fund the government without tying it to other political battles. Vice President J.D. Vance has also backed the clean resolution, calling it a common-sense step to protect workers while Congress continues longer-term debates.
AFGE’s message was clear: federal workers are struggling. Many are still showing up to work without pay. “The Army nurse in San Antonio, the TSA officer in Atlanta, the USDA food safety inspector in Iowa… hundreds of thousands more like them are being asked to keep our country running without the paychecks that keep their own households afloat,” Kelley said.
He added that these workers are patriotic Americans — parents, veterans, and caregivers — and they deserve better than to be stuck in the middle of Washington’s gridlock.
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) acknowledged that AFGE’s statement carries weight, saying, “It’s something we will be discussing this week.” Still, Durbin didn’t say if he plans to change his position on the continuing resolution. When reporters asked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) about the union’s comments, he declined to respond.
Meanwhile, members of the House Freedom Caucus responded online, saying it’s a bad day for Democrats when even AFGE, a traditionally Democrat-supporting union, recognizes how far off course the party’s position has become. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) also pointed to the union’s statement as a sign that Democrats are playing political games, adding that the American people can see through the situation.
The president of the American Federation of Government Employees – a labor union most often aligned with Democrats – said, “It’s time to pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown today.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself. pic.twitter.com/KZWVLLlepF
— Leader John Thune (@LeaderJohnThune) October 28, 2025
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) broke from most of his party, saying AFGE is “firmly on the right side of this,” and that federal workers deserve to be paid. Fetterman joined a small group of Democrats — including Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Sen. Angus King (I-ME) — in supporting the House resolution to reopen the government.
🚨 BREAKING: In an incredible moment, newly-elected Sen. Dave McCormick (R) and Sen. John Fetterman (D) stood together in DC and SLAMMED the Schumer Shutdown
FETTERMAN: “Even though we are in a different party. We both want to talk about why we believe it’s so important to… pic.twitter.com/VP2KqrjLRP
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 23, 2025
With the next round of SNAP (food assistance) benefits set to expire on November 1, pressure is building on lawmakers to reach a deal. That program supports over 42 million Americans. The official SNAP website is currently blaming Democrats for the shutdown, saying the funds to support benefits have dried up because the government remains closed.
Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) are reportedly working together on a separate bill to make sure some federal employees get paid even if the full government isn’t reopened yet. As of Monday night, Johnson’s office confirmed that discussions are still ongoing.
On the Senate floor, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer accused the Trump administration of “intentionally” choosing not to fund SNAP this weekend, even though he said the money is available. Schumer claimed that if the administration could find $40 billion for international aid to Argentina, then it could also find money for Americans in need.
Senate Republican Leader John Thune (R-SD) said there’s still a chance to reopen the government this week. He called on five Democrats to join Republicans in the next vote to end the shutdown and said the Senate will have another opportunity in the coming days.
As both parties feel growing pressure from workers, voters, and now unions, the next 48 hours could be critical in deciding how — and when — the shutdown finally ends.
