In the News

Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Vice Ranking Member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, joined Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA) and Rob Wittman (R-VA) in introducing the Federal Employee Retroactive Pay Fairness Act. This legislation would guarantee back pay to furloughed federal employees during a potential shutdown. The bill currently has 66 bipartisan cosponsors.

“Federal employees shouldn’t be held hostage by the President for a wall we were promised Mexico would pay for,” said Congressman Gerry Connolly. “Our bipartisan legislation will protect federal workers if the President moves forward with his reckless promise to shut down the government, and ensure they do not lose pay.”

“We do not want a government shutdown, but if it comes our bill would protect federal workers from the worst of the consequences,” said Rep. Beyer. “This legislation is designed to shield civil servants, who need to support their families, from the disastrous effects of failure to agree on a measure to fund the government. We hope it will not be needed, but time is running out and the current outlook is not good.”

"Federal employees should not be penalized for Congress’ inability to get its job done on time," Rep. Wittman said. "This legislation sends a clear signal to our federal workers that they will not be harmed in the unfortunate event of a shutdown. While this legislation would minimize the impacts of funding uncertainty, my focus remains on returning Congress to a regular schedule of budgeting and passing appropriations bills."