Right now, when the government shuts down because Congress can't agree on a budget, certain federal employees still have to show up to work—things like air traffic controllers, border patrol agents, and others doing essential jobs. The problem is, these workers don't get paid until the shutdown ends, sometimes weeks or months later. This bill fixes that by making sure the government has money set aside to pay these essential workers their regular salary, benefits, and other compensation while they're working during a shutdown. It also covers certain contractors who help federal employees and active-duty military members. The bill basically says: if you're required to work during a government shutdown, you'll get paid for that work right away, not have to wait around unpaid. The only catch is that agencies can't use this money to pay these workers if the government is actually running normally with a budget in place—it only applies during actual shutdowns. The bill would take effect as if it started on September 30, 2025.

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 standard rates of pay, allowances, pay differentials, benefits, and other payments to excepted employees for work performed during any period in which interim continuing appropriations or full-year appropriations are not in effect for a fiscal year (i.e., a government shutdown). An excepted employee is an employee who is required to work during a government shutdown.Under current law, excepted employees are 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&nbsp;excepted employee includes certain contractors who support federal employees during a government shutdown and members of the Armed Forces who are on active duty.&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&nbsp;excepted employees of the agency.The bill must take effect as if it had been enacted on September 30, 2025.&nbsp;