Should Federal Employees Furloughed Because of the Gov’t Shutdown Get Back Pay? (H.R. 67)

What is H.R. 67?

(Updated February 28, 2019)

This bill — Federal Employee Retroactive Pay Fairness Act — would provide back pay for federal employees who were furloughed because of a lapse in funding which caused a partial government shutdown that began on January 19, 2018. Furloughed employees would be compensated at their standard rate of compensation for the period of the shutdown as soon as practical after the lapse in funding ends.

Federal employees who are furloughed during a government shutdown aren’t paid during the duration of their furlough, although Congress historically provides their pay retroactively once the shutdown ends to minimize the financial disruption experienced by such workers.

Argument in favor

While it’s unfortunate that this bill is even necessary, it’s not federal employees fault that Congress can’t get its act together. Those who get furloughed should receive back pay as soon as the shutdown ends like they have in the past.

Argument opposed

The federal government shouldn’t pay employees who are furloughed for work they didn’t do. If such employees aren’t prepared for the possibility of a shutdown disrupting their finances they should look for work outside the government.

Impact

Furloughed federal employees and their families; and Congress.

Cost of H.R. 67

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) reintroduced this bill from the 115th Congress to guarantee back pay to furloughed federal workers in the event of a government shutdown:

“We are working hard to avoid a government shutdown, but if it comes our bill would protect federal workers from the worst of the consequences. This legislation is designed to shield civil servants, who need to support their families, from the disastrous effects of Congress’ failure to agree on a budget measure. We hope it will not be needed, but time is running out.”

Original cosponsor Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA) added:

“Federal employees should not be penalized for Congress’ inability to get its job done on time. This legislation is designed to shield civil servants, who need to support their families, from the disastrous effects of Congress’ failure to agree on a budget measure. We hope it will not be needed, but time is running out.”

In the current Congress, this legislation has the bipartisan support of 92 bipartisan cosponsors, including 83 Democrats and nine Republicans. Last Congress, it had the support of 101 bipartisan cosponsors, including 94 Democrats and seven Republicans.

Media:

• Sponsoring Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) Press Release
  
• FedSmith
  
• The Hill