On March 23, FMA joined colleagues from the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), NARFE, and others, urging both the Senate and House to cosponsor and pass the Shutdown Fairness Act (S. 3168 / H.R. 7137). This legislation, led by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD), would ensure feds are paid during any lapse in appropriations.

“The federal government is currently experiencing its third shutdown this fiscal year,” the letter read, referring to the partial government shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security. “During the current lapse, transportation security officers, Coast Guard personnel, and other Department of Homeland Security employees continue reporting to work to protect the public, even as their paychecks are withheld.”

Under this FMA-endorsed, bipartisan Shutdown Fairness Act, federal employees would no longer be furloughed, would perform their duties to the maximum extent possible during a lapse in funding, and would be paid on their normal schedule throughout the duration of the lapse. The measure would appropriate funds to be solely used to pay salaries and wages to feds during any lapse in funding to agencies. It would apply to covered federal employees hired and onboarded prior to a shutdown, and every dollar appropriated would be required to go to employee paychecks. The bill would apply to any future lapse in funding, ensuring feds would no longer be forced to work without pay, or sent home, due to the inability of Congress and the Administration to fund agencies.

“Importantly, the Shutdown Fairness Act does not authorize new or additional spending. Current law already provides back pay to affected federal employees once funding is restored. This legislation simply ensures continuity of pay during a lapse, rather than requiring families to wait weeks or months for compensation they have already earned,” the letter reads.

Follow these links to read the joint letters to all members of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. To track the progress of the legislation, click here.