A Republican bill aimed at ensuring federal employees receive pay during a government shutdown is set for a potential Senate vote. However, Democrats are crafting their own plan that seeks to support furloughed workers as well.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has placed the GOP’s Shutdown Fairness Act on the Senate calendar, hoping for a vote soon. Many Senate Democrats are hesitant to endorse the bill, as it doesn’t account for approximately 700,000 federal employees currently furloughed without pay.
Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) expressed concerns about the bill, claiming it gives too much power to the president to decide who qualifies as essential. He fears this discretion could be misused for political purposes. “It’s not fair,” he stated.
In response, Democrats are rallying behind a counterproposal led by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.). This proposal aims to provide pay for both furloughed and excepted employees, although it’s still unclear if it will be introduced as an amendment or a separate bill. Kaine called their approach “fair and balanced.”
Both furloughed and excepted employees are guaranteed back pay when the shutdown concludes, a right established by a law passed in 2019. While the White House has raised doubts about this right for furloughed employees, many insist it’s being misinterpreted.
Some federal employees, such as military members and law enforcement officers, have already received paychecks during the shutdown. The Shutdown Fairness Act, introduced by Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), would ensure immediate pay for “excepted” employees and provide retroactive compensation from the shutdown’s start on October 1.
Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Ryan Mackenzie (R-Pa.) are promoting a similar bill in the House. Mackenzie stated, “This bill stands up for those who show up.”
The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) voiced its support for the Shutdown Fairness Act, emphasizing its benefits for excepted workers without putting furloughed employees at a disadvantage. NARFE President Bill Shackelford highlighted that the bill focuses on job requirements, not political biases.
Despite their support, NARFE also acknowledged that passing this bill could reduce the urgency for lawmakers to resolve the shutdown quickly. However, the organization remains open to any actions that would benefit federal employees during this crisis.
The Partnership for Public Service, a nonprofit dedicated to improving federal operations, expressed cautious support for the Shutdown Fairness Act. President Max Stier stressed that all federal employees, military and civilian, should be fairly compensated, as they are the victims of this fallout.
While back pay is promised once the shutdown ends, federal employees still face immediate financial strain. Many are worried about missing their first full paycheck this week after receiving only partial pay around October 10.
It’s worth noting that federal contract workers, often in lower-paid roles like janitorial or security work, do not receive the same guarantee of back pay. This adds another layer of hardship for many impacted individuals.
Recent research by the Partnership for Public Service reveals that around half of Americans are witnessing the shutdown’s effects, including travel disruptions and facility closures. Experts believe these impacts will worsen the longer the government remains closed.
As the situation unfolds, the broader public is tuning in, with many following developments on social media. Users are sharing their frustrations and taking to platforms to express their experiences, creating a dialogue about the realities of federal employment during shutdowns.
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