In the News

Today, Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA) sponsored legislation introduced by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) that would guarantee back pay to low-wage federally contracted workers who are affected by the ongoing government shutdown.

“Low-wage federal contract workers can least afford to be penalized by President Trump’s shutdown,” Norton said. “Unlike federal employees, who have always been made whole after a shutdown, many low-wage workers, who are the focus of our bill, earn little more than the minimum wage and receive few, if any, benefits. And, unlike many other contractors, those who employ low-wage service workers have little latitude to help make up for lost wages. We must act to ensure that low-wage, federally contracted service workers are not put at a unique disadvantage by the Trump shutdown.”

“Every day we hear more stories of how President Trump’s reckless shutdown is hurting American workers,” Connolly said. “People are struggling, and sadly, we know from past shutdowns that federal contractors have not been made whole. Our legislation will ensure these low-wage workers receive back pay after the shutdown.”

The legislation is also sponsored by Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Grace Meng (D-NY), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Lori Trahan (D-MA), David Trone (D-MD) and Jennifer Wexton (D-VA).