Senator Introduces Bill to Detail Costs of Government Shutdown
Senator Joni Ernst from Iowa presented a new bill on Wednesday aimed at requiring federal agencies to provide detailed reports on the actual costs incurred during the government shutdown, which includes compensating furloughed employees.
Ernst criticized what she termed “Mr. Schumer’s government shutdown antics,” asserting that it has already resulted in a loss of $4.4 billion, while paying about 750,000 ‘non-essential’ federal workers to remain idle for over two weeks. “My Non-Essential Worker Transparency Act aims to illuminate the costs associated with lost productivity due to these political maneuvers,” she explained to Fox News Digital.
According to the proposed legislation, federal agencies would have to compile and submit a report within 30 days after the shutdown ends. This report would include data such as the total number of employees at the start of the shutdown, payroll expenditures from the prior fiscal year, the number of furloughed employees, and the incomes of those who remained working during the closure.
The ongoing government shutdown, which began on October 1 due to the Senate’s failure to pass a funding bill for 2026, has led to an estimated 750,000 federal workers being furloughed. As per a law enacted in 2019, these workers will receive back pay once the shutdown concludes.
As the prospect of the shutdown loomed, Ernst referenced Congressional Budget Office data indicating a staggering cost of $400 million per day for taxpayers, emphasizing the financial implications of keeping these workers from performing their duties.
As of now, the costs related to unpaid fees have reached approximately $4.4 billion. The Congressional Budget Office, in a letter to Ernst, estimated that around 750,000 employees might face furloughs each day in fiscal year 2026 due to lapses in discretionary funding, which would cost around $400 million daily in lost compensation.
The Trump administration and Republican officials have attributed the blame for the shutdown to Democrats, alleging that they are diverting tax dollars to provide healthcare benefits for undocumented immigrants. On the other hand, Democrats have refuted these claims and asserted that it’s the Republicans who should bear responsibility for the shutdown.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized these accusations, labeling them as “complete lies” in early October, countering the narrative around claims of illegal immigration benefits.
In response to queries regarding the Congressional Budget Office findings, White House Press Secretary Khush Desai remarked that Democrats aren’t taking the situation seriously. He noted that their allocation of funds towards healthcare for illegal immigrants amounts to exorbitant daily expenses for federal workers who are not working.
The Trump administration warned that the shutdown could have lasting effects on the federal workforce, hinting at a new wave of layoffs. The president maintained that while they do not wish for a shutdown, there could be potential benefits in reducing the government’s size and enhancing efficiency.
Recently, the White House also announced the start of reduction in force (RIF) notices across various departments, indicating the administration’s ongoing efforts to streamline operations.
