'Republicans should be embarrassed': Ex-Trump official rips GOP for losing shutdown fight

Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer took aim at Senate Republicans after Democrats blocked a bill that would have guaranteed pay for military and federal workers during the ongoing government shutdown.

“Senate Republicans should be embarrassed by how bad they’re messaging this,” Spicer, who served as Trump’s first press secretary, said Friday on his podcast, in remarks highlighted by The Daily Beast.

“They should have been out on the steps last night with military members and Border Patrol," Spicer said.

The measure, known as the Shutdown Fairness Act of 2025, was introduced by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and fell short of the 60 votes needed to advance, with a final tally of 54-45.

It would have ensured continued pay for “excepted” federal employees, including active-duty troops, TSA agents, park rangers, air traffic controllers and Border Patrol officers.

Spicer accused Republicans of failing to defend their position forcefully, calling their actions “literally the lamest response” he had ever seen.

“The idea that they voted and bolted is an embarrassment to the Republican Party,” he added.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) dismissed the bill as a “ruse,” arguing it would give Trump budget director Russell Vought undue authority.

“We will not give Donald Trump a license to play politics with people’s livelihoods,” Schumer said.