Casten Joins Congressman Horsford, Introduces Legislation To Protect Federal Employees, Contractors, And State & Tribal Governments From Trump’s SOTU Threat To Shutdown The Federal Government
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Following President Trump's State of the Union decision to dig in on his wall demands, U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) joined Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04) and released the ‘Pay Workers What They've Earned Act' to reimburse federal employees for fees, interest, and fines charged through no fault of their own during a government shutdown. The bill would also reimburse state and tribal government for costs incurred during government shutdowns.
"The President made clear last night that he's willing to create another crisis in order to get funding for his ill-advised border wall. . I want to make sure that our federal workers aren't on the hook for the costs of that shutdown," said Congressman Horsford. "Last month, federal employees and contractors learned that simply reopening the government doesn't help them pay the credit card interest fees, and overdue rent notices that pile up during a government shutdown."
"Congress needs to make Americans whole for the costs they incur during shutdowns - including the state taxpayers and tribal governments who pick up the slack when the federal government stops paying its bills. "
"Shutting down the government is a ploy that puts the lives of federal employees and contractors in limbo, and places the financial burden of political gridlock on the backs of the States," said Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06), an original co-sponsor of the legislation. "We cannot legislate the leadership required to prevent government shutdowns. But our bill would help to alleviate this misguided tactic's collateral damage to innocent Americans by restoring pay to affected workers and returning needed monies to constrained State coffers."
During the recent 35-day government shutdown, states across the country were nearly forced to tap into their own resources to cover the federal government's lapse in appropriations for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP), Temporary Assistance For Needy Families (TANF), and housing assistance.
In addition to Congressman Casten, the bill is co-sponsored by Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01) and Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02).
The ‘Pay Workers What They've Earned Act' would:
- Cover Family Costs: Provide compensation to federal employees and contractors during a lapse in appropriations to cover the fees, interest and fines incurred due to the lapse in appropriations by setting up a reimbursement verification mechanism with the Department of Treasury.
- Provide Timely State and Tribal Reimbursement: Ensure the federal government reimburses states who have used state budget funds to cover federal programs within 90 days after a shutdown.
- Prevent Burden for Families in the Future: Creates a reserve fund for Federal Employees and Contractors who are furloughed during any future shutdowns.