Laws was launched within the Senate Friday to make sure that federal staff are paid throughout authorities shutdowns.
If handed, the Shutdown Equity Act (S 3012) would supply pay to excepted federal staff who’re pressured to work with out pay through the ongoing partial authorities shutdown.
SEE ALSO: What Occurs to Federal Pay, Depart & Holidays Throughout a Authorities Shutdown?
Underneath present regulation, important federal employees required to work throughout a authorities shutdown obtain retroactive pay when the federal government reopens. Underneath Johnson’s proposed invoice, these federal staff’ pay wouldn’t be interrupted.
“The 2025 Shutdown Equity Act is a everlasting repair that can guarantee excepted employees and our troops are paid throughout a shutdown,” Johnson mentioned. Senate Majority Chief John Thune (R-SD) has reportedly positioned the laws on the Senate calendar final week for a vote as quickly as this week.
Senate Democrats have expressed skepticism of the Republican proposal.
“I fear that it mainly is a invoice that simply lets the president resolve who he desires to pay and who he does need to pay. And I might have some severe considerations about that,” mentioned Sen. Tim Kaine (R-VA) informed CNN.
“It’s my understanding that that’s not a complete invoice that really is designed to reopen the federal government whereas on the similar time addressing the problems that have to be confronted,” Jeffries mentioned at a press convention. “It’s not laws that I help as a result of it seems to be extra like a political ploy to choose and select, giving Donald Trump discretion which staff ought to be compensated.”
The invoice is co-sponsored by Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Invoice Cassidy (R-La.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and Todd Younger (R-Ind.).
To learn the complete textual content of the invoice, go right here.
