Senators Introduce Legislation to Pay Federal Employees During Shutdown

Strategic Insights -

Democratic senators, led by Senator Tammy Duckworth, introduced the True Shutdown Fairness Act to ensure federal employees receive pay during the ongoing Republican shutdown. The legislation also aims to prevent the Trump Administration's mass firings of federal employees, including those who are exempt and furloughed. The senators' move comes as the shutdown continues to affect millions of federal workers and their families, with many struggling to pay rent or put food on the table.

Key Takeaways:

  • The True Shutdown Fairness Act aims to pay all federal employees, including those excepted and furloughed, during the current Republican shutdown.
  • The legislation would also prevent the Trump Administration's mass firings of federal employees, including those who are exempt and furloughed.
  • The bill is endorsed by various labor unions, including the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
  • The legislation is cosponsored by 21 Senate Democratic colleagues, including Chris Van Hollen, Gary Peters, Patty Murray, and Mark Warner.
  • The senators' move comes as the shutdown continues to affect millions of federal workers and their families, with many struggling to pay rent or put food on the table.
  • The bill would also restart pay for all excepted and furloughed federal workers, servicemembers, and federal contractors during the current shutdown.
  • The legislation includes a prohibition on Reductions in Force while the federal government is shut down.
  • The bill aims to promote fairness and equity in the treatment of federal employees during the shutdown.

Statistics:

  • Over 494,000 federal workers and contractors in Maryland are affected by the shutdown.
  • The shutdown has been ongoing for several months, affecting millions of federal workers and their families.
  • According to Senator Chris Van Hollen, federal workers have been working without pay for weeks, and many are struggling to pay rent or put food on the table.
  • The True Shutdown Fairness Act would immediately restart pay for all excepted and furloughed federal workers, servicemembers, and federal contractors during the current shutdown.
  • The bill also aims to prevent the Trump Administration's mass firings of federal employees, including those who are exempt and furloughed.

Sources:

  • United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth, October 24, 2025
  • United States Senator for Maryland Chris Van Hollen, October 24, 2025
  • United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters, October 24, 2025
  • United States Senator for Virginia Mark Warner, October 24, 2025
  • United States Senator for Maryland Angela Alsobrooks, October 24, 2025
  • United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine, October 24, 2025
  • United States Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Lujín, October 24, 2025
  • United States Senator for Vermont Peter Welch, October 24, 2025
  • United States Senator for Delaware Chris Coons, October 24, 2025
  • United States Senator for Virginia Dick Durbin, October 24, 2025