WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) co-sponsored legislation to ensure federal workers that are deemed “essential” and continue to work are paid despite the partial government shutdown. The Shutdown Fairness Act authorizes federal agencies affected by the current government shutdown to pay the dedicated personnel that are still working every day to serve the people of the United States.

“Federal workers who are expected to continue working through a government shutdown should be paid, plain and simple,” said Senator Thom Tillis.“The Shutdown Fairness Act will authorize federal agencies to pay their personnel that are still working, the very least we can do while we continue to work towards ending this government shutdown.”

The legislation was introduced by Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) and is also cosponsored by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Todd Young (R-IN), Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND).

 Background on the Shutdown Fairness Act

• Provides pay to an estimated 420,000 personnel currently working without pay, including personnel from: Commerce, Justice, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, State, Transportation, Treasury, Forest Service, NASA, and SEC.
• Authorizes the use of unappropriated funds to pay personnel previously designated as “excepted” in accordance with section 124 of OMB Circular No. A-11. This is similar to the 2013 Pay Our Military Act, passed by the 113th Congress. 
• “Excepted” individuals include those who are performing emergency work, or performing work involving the safety of human life or protection of property.

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