Pay Federal Workers and Servicemembers Act
Pay Federal Workers and Servicemembers Act
Plain Language Summary
# Pay Federal Workers and Servicemembers Act Summary **What it does:** This bill would allow federal employees and military members who are required to work during a government shutdown to receive unemployment benefits while waiting for their paychecks. Currently, when the government shuts down due to budget lapses, certain federal workers must still show up and do their jobs, but their paychecks are delayed. Despite working, they cannot collect unemployment because they're technically still employed—creating a financial hardship. This bill would change that by temporarily treating these workers as separated from their jobs for unemployment purposes only, allowing them to receive benefits immediately without a waiting period. **Who it affects:** The primary beneficiaries are federal civilian employees and military service members designated as "excepted" from furlough—meaning they're essential workers required to continue working during shutdowns.
This includes positions like law enforcement, air traffic controllers, and other critical functions. The bill would help these workers bridge the income gap when their paychecks are delayed, which can last weeks or months. **Current status:** HR 1988 is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House. It was introduced by Representative Debbie Dingell (D-Michigan) in the 119th Congress.
CRS Official Summary
Pay Federal Workers and Servicemembers ActThis bill makes federal civilian and military personnel who are excepted from furlough during a government shutdown eligible for unemployment compensation benefits. During a government shutdown due to a lapse in appropriations, federal employees who are excepted from furlough are required to report for work and perform duties, but their pay is delayed until appropriations legislation is enacted. Under guidance issued by the Department of Labor, excepted employees who are performing services (but whose payment for that work is delayed) are generally ineligible for unemployment compensation benefits based on states' definitions of unemployment. This bill provides that, for the purpose of determining eligibility for unemployment compensation during a government shutdown, excepted employees are deemed to be (1) totally separated from federal service, and (2) eligible for unemployment compensation benefits with no waiting period for the eligibility to accrue. The bill applies to the following federal personnel who are excepted from furlough and are not being paid due to a government shutdown: (1) any member of the Armed Forces or the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and (2) any federal civilian employee who is an excepted employee or an employee performing emergency work.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.