Last fall’s historic government shutdown inflicted significant financial stress on the 1.4 million federal workers who were directly affected by the fiscal stalemate.
Over the course of the record 43-day shutdown, nearly 3 million paychecks were withheld from federal civilian employees, representing almost $14 billion in missing wages, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center.
At least 670,000 federal employees were furloughed due to the shutdown, while roughly 730,000 were required to continue working – all without pay. While previously enacted legislation ensured that every worker eventually was paid for their time once the shutdown ended, the uncertainty over when the shutdown would end left many workers scrambling to pay their bills and provide for themselves and their families.
“Federal workers show up every day of the year to serve the American people – even on days when Congress is at an impasse. Most are living paycheck to paycheck, and they suffered tremendously during the recent government shutdown – missing rent and car payments and unable to afford food for their families and gas to get to work,” AFGE National President Everett Kelley said.
That’s why AFGE strongly supports legislation that would ensure federal employees continue to get paid during any future government shutdowns.
On Jan. 16, a bipartisan group of 16 House members led by Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) introduced legislation that would guarantee federal employees, military service members, reservists, and contractors get paid in full and on time in the event of a government shutdown.
“Federal workers and service members are not political pawns – they’re hardworking Americans who keep our country safe, moving, and running,” Rep. Gottheimer said. “They shouldn’t be forced to miss paychecks because Washington can’t get its act together. This bill will make sure no federal worker or service member ever has to worry about putting food on the table because of Congress’s dysfunction.”
By ensuring workers continue to be paid, the Shutdown Fairness Act would help prevent backlogs, service disruptions, and contract delays that pile up during shutdowns.
“Hardworking federal employees and our military men and women didn’t ask to miss a paycheck, and they shouldn’t have to suffer because Congress didn’t do its job,” Rep. Johnson said. “My bill would make sure none of these employees are working without pay, unable to make ends meet for themselves and their families.”
The Shutdown Fairness Act requires federal agencies to continue paying workers during a lapse in appropriations. It does not authorize any new spending; instead, it guarantees that employees receive their regular paychecks on time, rather than waiting weeks or months for backpay after a shutdown ends.
The House bill (HR 7137) is a companion to Senate legislation (S 3168) introduced in November by Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis.
This isn’t a partisan issue—it’s a fairness issue. Federal employees from every state, every community, and every agency deserve the assurance that their livelihoods won’t be held hostage in budget fights. This legislation would strengthen these protections, ensuring that all current federal employees are paid on time and in full, even when Congress can’t reach a funding agreement.
AFGE is one of more than a dozen labor and professional organizations that have endorsed the legislation.
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