Right now, when the government shuts down because Congress can't agree on a budget, certain federal employees called "excepted employees" still have to show up and work. These are people in essential services like air traffic control, national security, and other critical functions. The problem is that under current law, these workers don't get paid until the shutdown ends—sometimes weeks or months later. This bill fixes that by providing money to pay these employees their regular wages while they're working during a shutdown. It also includes certain contractors who support federal workers during shutdowns. The bill makes clear that agencies can only use this money to pay people during actual shutdowns, not during normal times when the government is fully funded.

Shutdown Fairness Act

Johnson, Ron

Shutdown Fairness ActThis bill provides appropriations to pay federal employees who work during a government shutdown.Specifically, the bill provides appropriations for federal agencies to provide pay and allowances to excepted employees who are required to work during any period in which interim or full-year appropriations are not in effect for a fiscal year (i.e., a government shutdown).&nbsp;Under current law, excepted employees are required to work during a government&nbsp;shutdown and are&nbsp;not paid until the government shutdown is over. This bill provides appropriations to pay excepted employees during a government shutdown. The bill also specifies that the term excepted employee includes certain contractors who support federal employees during a government shutdown.&nbsp;A federal agency may not use the funds provided by this bill during any period in which continuing appropriations are in effect for the purpose of paying excepted employees of the agency.