WASHINGTON ‒ The Senate on Thursday rejected a Republican-backed bill to pay some federal employees who are working through the government shutdown as the funding fight rolls into Day 23.

The bill, known as the Shutdown Fairness Act and sponsored by Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, would have paid employees such as air traffic controllers, military members, border patrol agents and other so-called "essential" workers forced to work during the shutdown. Three Democrats crossed the aisle to support the measure: Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff of Georgia and John Fetterman of Pennsylvania.

The bill created a tough spot for Senate Democrats as Americans call for an end to the shutdown. But Democratic leaders have argued the Trump administration shouldn't get to decide which employees are essential and which should be paid.

Democrats pushed a countermeasure to try to pay all federal employees, but the Republican-controlled Senate did not take up the proposal.

For the 12th time on Wednesday, Senate Democrats blocked Republicans' short-term funding bill to reopen the government. Democrats have demanded that extending expiring subsidies in the Affordable Care Act and reversing Republicans' Medicaid cuts be included in legislation to end the shutdown.

Trump on Thursday said a wealthy private donor sent a check to the U.S. government for $130 million to cover any shortfall for military salaries as Congress remains at odds to end the government shutdown.

Trump declined to name the private donor, but he called the person “a friend of mine.”

“Today he sent us a check for $130 million,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “That’s what I call a patriot.”

The president earlier this month said there was a donor who wanted to contribute to help pay troops.

“I actually have a man who is a very wealthy person, he said, ‘If there is any money necessary, shortfall for the paying of the troops, I will pay it,’” Trump said Oct. 14 during a meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei at the White House.