Reps. Don Beyer and Rob Wittman of Virginia has introduced a bill that would ensure that all federal employees receive retroactive pay for the duration of any shutdown, regardless of furlough status.
“Federal employees have financial obligations just like everyone else. Congress must not jeopardize their financial security yet again,” said Rep. Beyer. “This bipartisan legislation ensures that these public servants are made whole if Congress cannot keep our government running.”
“The all-too-common uncertainty that plagues budget discussions in Washington is undermining the important work our federal employees carry out on behalf of their fellow citizens. It is critical to protect these public servants and their families from this uncertainty, and at the same time to bring accountability to the way Congress carries out its business. Long-term vision is necessary for ending this recurring cycle of governing by crisis,” said Rep. Rob Wittman.
AFGE fully supports their bill, the Federal Employee Retroactive Pay Fairness Act, and a similar bill introduced by Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, the 2015 Federal Employee Fair Treatment Act.
In the 2013 shutdown which lasted 16 days, federal employees didn’t get paid until Oct. 25, even though the government re-opened on Oct. 17. They had to wait until lawmakers struck the final deal to fund agencies.