GOP leaders urge Democrats to be 'brave' and open up the government House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-L.A., and Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., address voters amid the government shutdown. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! An expected sixth vote to reopen the government didn't come to fruition on Tuesday, but lawmakers face a new wrinkle: the possibility that furloughed employees won't be paid.  The government shutdown marched into its seventh day with both Senate Republicans and Democrats