Competing Proposals Emerges Over Federal Shutdown Pay
As the government shutdown continues, a Republican-led bill has been put forward that would ensure immediate pay for federal employees who have continued to work. However, Democrats are pushing for an alternative bill that would also cover pay for furloughed employees.
Republican Bill Faces Opposition
The Republican-proposed Shutdown Fairness Act has been slated for potential Senate voting. However, many Democrats have voiced their opposition to this bill, citing its lack of immediate financial support for the approximately 700,000 federal employees currently furloughed without pay.
Some critics argue that the bill would give the president the power to determine which workers are essential and which are not, opening up the possibility for this power to be used politically to favor certain groups over others.
Democrats Propose Alternative Bill
Democrats are currently working on an alternative proposal to the Shutdown Fairness Act. This counterproposal would not only provide immediate pay for employees who have continued working during the shutdown, but also for those who have been furloughed. While the specifics of this alternative proposal are still being worked on, its aim is to provide a more balanced approach to paying federal employees affected by the shutdown.
It should be noted that both working and furloughed federal employees are entitled to retroactive pay once the shutdown ends, as per a 2019 law. However, this guarantee has been questioned for furloughed employees, leading to some pushback against what is seen as a misinterpretation of the law.
Impact of the Shutdown Fairness Act
If the Shutdown Fairness Act were to be passed, it would ensure that all federal employees continuing to work during the shutdown are paid immediately. In addition, the bill would provide retroactive pay dating back to the start of the funding lapse.
While some employees in certain categories, such as military and law enforcement, have already received their pay during the shutdown, the Shutdown Fairness Act would extend this to all working federal employees.
Reaction to the Shutdown Fairness Act
Some groups have voiced their support for the Shutdown Fairness Act, stating it would benefit working employees without further harming those who are furloughed. They argue that the bill doesn't favor certain political functions over others, but rather distinguishes between those required to work and those not required to work.
However, some have pointed out that passing legislation to pay federal employees could decrease the urgency to end the shutdown quickly. Despite this, these groups have stated they would not oppose efforts to pay federal employees during the funding lapse.
Meanwhile, others argue that while the Shutdown Fairness Act does address some financial concerns for federal employees, it is only a partial solution. They believe that all public servants, whether military or civilian, should not bear the consequences of the shutdown and that any financial solution should apply to all.
Awaiting a Resolution
Despite the promise of retroactive pay once the shutdown ends, federal employees are still facing delayed compensation. As the shutdown continues, federal employees are preparing for the impact of missed paychecks. Furthermore, federal contract workers in lower-paying jobs such as janitorial, food, and security roles at federal facilities do not have the same guarantee of back pay.
As the shutdown drags on, the impact is being felt in communities across the nation, from travel delays to facility closures. The longer the shutdown lasts, the more these impacts are expected to increase.