Senate Democrats on Friday blocked a plan crafted by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) to pay federal workers during the government shutdown.

In a 53-43 vote, all but three Senate Democrats refused to move forward with a version Johnson's Shutdown Fairness Act, which would allow federal workers, including furloughed employees, and the military to be paid amid the current shutdown and future ones.

Sens. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) were the only Democrats that voted with Republicans in support of the measure -- which received the endorsement of the American Federation of Government Employees, the largest federal employee labor union.

On the Senate floor, Johnson argued federal workers are "sick and tired [of] being used as pawns in this political dysfunction here."

·

The Justice Department is investigating meat-processing companies after President Trump alleged that "Illegal Monopolies" are driving up costs — following similar attacks by his predecessor, Joe Biden.

"I have asked the DOJ to immediately begin an investigation into the Meat Packing Companies who are driving up the price of Beef through Illicit Collusion, Price Fixing, and Price Manipulation," Trump wrote on Truth Social Friday evening.

"We will always protect our American Ranchers, and they are being blamed for what is being done by Majority Foreign Owned Meat Packers, who artificially inflate prices, and jeopardize the security of our Nation’s food supply. Action must be taken immediately to protect Consumers, combat Illegal Monopolies, and ensure these Corporations are not criminally profiting at the expense of the American People. I am asking the DOJ to act expeditiously."

In a second post, Trump added: "While Cattle Prices have dropped substantially, the price of Boxed Beef has gone up — Therefore, you know that something is “fishy.” We will get to the bottom of it very quickly. If there is criminality, those people responsible will pay a steep price!"

Attorney General Pam Bondi tweeted in response that "our investigation is underway!"

Biden previously targeted meat processors as inflation raged during his four-year term —shelling out $1 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funds to support independent meat-processing companies, pinning much of the blame for high costs on four major US meat processing companies.

President Trump gave Senate Republicans an ultimatum on Friday: Reach a "deal" with Democrats to end the shutdown -- or abolish the filibuster.

"The United States Senate should not leave town until they have a Deal to end the Democrat Shutdown. If they can’t reach a Deal, the Republicans should terminate the Filibuster, IMMEDIATELY, and take care of our Great American Workers!" Trump erupted on his Truth Social.

The FBI informant who set off a firestorm by alleging that Joe and Hunter Biden took $10 million in bribes has been released from prison on medical furlough, his attorney tells The Post.

Alexander Smirnov pleaded guilty in December and received a six-year prison sentence for fabricating the story about the then-US president as well as a separate charge of tax evasion.

"Since Mr. Smirnov's arrest, he has required crucial eye surgery which was denied to him for an extended period of time, which only exacerbated an already serious condition," his lawyer David Chesnoff said.

"We appreciate the Bureau of Prisons recognizing the incredibly serious nature of his condition and agreeing to allow him to receive the necessary and lengthy procedures he is receiving."

Smirnov, 45, had been incarcerated at a federal facility in Los Angeles and Chesnoff did not share the precise date of his release, which was first-reported by independent journalist Jacqueline Sweet.

A federal judge refused to free Smirnov, whose team says he is now legally blind, in May, saying he posed a flight risk.

Smirnov's tip about the Bidens involved the Ukraine-based energy company Burisma, which paid Hunter Biden a salary of up to $1 million to serve on its board as his then-VP dad led the Obama administration's policy toward Kyiv.

The allegation, aired by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), ultimately undermined the House Republican case to impeach then-President Biden for his many documented interactions with his son Hunter and brother James Biden's foreign patrons in countries such as China, Kazakhstan and Ukraine.

Health-related releases from prison typically last 30 days but can be extended.

Lawyers for Smirnov intend to continue to seek medical furloughs.

Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) urged his Republican colleagues to accept Democrats' "compromise" to pass a full-year funding bill for the Obamacare subsidies.

"I've had conversations with so many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle," Peters said, "who want to try to figure out how we fix this."

"Leader Thune has said, 'Give us the votes to open up the government, then we will have a conversation that you want to discuss," he added, including health care tax credits passed in the Affordable Care Act.

"President Trump has said he'd be happy to work with Democrats on health care policies, but only once the government is reopened," Peters went on.

"I agree with my Republican colleagues; it's not realistic to reform a major policy, major health care policy in just a few days. And I respect Leader Thune and President Trump's desire to work on this once the government is reopened," he said.

"It's something that can be done today if we need to," the Michigan Democrat concluded. "Compromise is a two-way street. ... I just hope my Republican colleagues agree."

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has offered Republicans a "compromise" to end the government shutdown.

In a floor speech Friday, Schumer floated a "clean, one-year extension" of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies to be appended to a stopgap funding bill.

"After so many failed votes, it's clear we need to try something different," he noted. "What the Senate is doing isn't working for either party -- and isn't working for the American people."

"Democrats would like to see an end to the shutdown -- and we want to respect Leader Thune's desire not to negotiate on ACA until after the government reopens," he said, flanked by members of the Senate Democratic caucus.

The Democratic leader said this was "not a negotiation" but "an extension of current law," since Thune has expressed that the Senate GOP won't discuss the Obamacare tax credits until after a short-term funding bill is passed.

"Let's create a bipartisan committee," Schumer added, "that will continue negotiations after the government reopens on reforms, ahead of next year's enrollment period, to provide long-term certainty that health care costs will be more affordable."

"We need Republicans to just say, 'Yes,'" Schumer concluded.

President Trump will attend the NFL matchup Sunday between the Washington Commanders and Detroit Lions as he returns to the White House from a weekend trip to Florida.

Trump's plans were confirmed to The Post by a White House official and were first-reported by ESPN's Pat McAfee.

In July, Trump threatened to hold up the Commanders' move into DC proper unless the team restored its former name, the Redskins.

"I may put a restriction on them that if they don't change the name back to the original 'Washington Redskins,' and get rid of the ridiculous moniker, 'Washington Commanders,' I won't make a deal for them to build a Stadium in Washington," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The president's trip to Northwest Stadium — formerly FedEx Field — in Landover, Maryland — follows cameos by the commander in chief at a number of other sporting events.

Trump also attended the FIFA Club World Cup final in July in New Jersey, the US Open men's finals on Sept. 7 in Queens, and a Yankees game on Sept. 11 in the Bronx.

WASHINGTON — Former Trump economic adviser Stephen Moore resigned from the conservative Heritage Foundation on Thursday amid fierce backlash — and pressure from donors — over think tank president Kevin Roberts’ defense of Tucker Carlson platforming white nationalist Nick Fuentes.

Moore served for more than a decade as a fellow at one of the largest right-of-center think tanks in Washington, DC, yet didn’t reference the internal revolt over Roberts’ embrace of Carlson or subsequent apology for his choice of words — though sources told The Post the economist was facing pressure to depart.

“After 12 happy and productive years, I have decided to resign my position as senior visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation in order to concentrate my work load on continuing to build up @Comm4Prosperity [Committee to Unleash Prosperity] and the mounting influence of our daily Hotline,” Moore posted on X.

READ MORE

This is not gonna fly!

Up to 20% of flights could be cut in coming weeks if the government shutdown drags on, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned Friday.

“If this continues, and I have more controllers who decide they can’t come to work, can’t control the airspace, but instead have to take a second job — with that, you might see 10% … go to 15% or 20%,” Duffy said at news event in Washington, D.C., according to The Hill.

The Federal Aviation Administration began cutting flights Friday at 40 major airports — causing more than 800 to be canceled — due to air traffic controller staffing shortages.

READ MORE

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) confirmed Friday that the Senate will vote on a bill to fully pay federal workers.

The legislation, brought by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), will either receive a voice vote or a roll call vote, Thune told reporters.

But the GOP leader also said he didn't anticipate the legislation would help bring about the end of the government shutdown.

"We will see what happens and whether or not over the next couple of days that the Democrats can find a way to re-engage again," Thune said.

President Trump had a light-hearted moment with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt Friday when confronted by reporters on affordability issues while hosting Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Trump bristled at journalists who pressed him — insisting criticism of his handling of consumer prices was a "con job" after Democrats swept off-year elections Tuesday — and sought out Leavitt to bolster his arguments to the media.

When the president could not locate Leavitt among a crush of journalists, he joked, "our great Karoline superstar deserted me!" — possibly a result of the fact that press handlers generally stand behind reporters as they shout questions.

Leavitt emerged a moment later to slam the Biden administration's record on inflation, chastise media coverage and to proclaim, "Affordability is what the American people elected the president to do, and he is doing it."

"Karoline, the prime minister would like you to work for him in Hungary," Trump beamed. "Please don't leave us, Karoline!"

WASHINGTON — President Trump has pardoned former Mets legend Darryl Strawberry, who pleaded guilty to tax fraud in 1995 and served 11 months in Florida state prison for drug-related offenses.

“President Trump has approved a pardon for Darryl Strawberry, three-time World Series champion and eight-time MLB All-Star,” a White House official told The Post Friday.

“Mr. Strawberry served time and paid back taxes after pleading guilty to one count of tax evasion.

“Following his career, Mr. Strawberry found faith in Christianity and has been sober for over a decade – he has become active in ministry and started a recovery center which still operates today.”

READ MORE