The federal government shutdown has now reached its 24th day, making it the second-longest shutdown in U.S. history. Surpassing the three-week mark means that federal employees will miss their first full paycheck on Friday, leaving some wondering how to make ends meet until federal agencies are funded once again. The Senate on Thursday failed to advance legislation from Democratic Sens. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan and Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin that would have provided pay to some federal workers during the shutdown. The "Shutdown Fairness Act " -- put forward by Johnson -- failed by a vote of 55-45, falling short of the necessary 60-vote threshold. Johnson, meanwhile, objected to unanimous consent requests from both Van Hollen and Peters to

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