The Senate is set to vote on a proposal by Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) this Thursday. The legislation aims to pay federal employees who are classified as “excepted,” meaning they have to continue working during the ongoing government shutdown.
This comes as the shutdown, now in its fourth week, stretches on. On Wednesday, Democrats thwarted yet another attempt to pass a bill aimed at reopening the government, marking the twelfth failed effort.
Here’s a closer look at Johnson’s proposal.
Who will benefit from this bill?
Johnson’s legislation targets “exceptional” federal workers recognized as “essential” throughout the shutdown. These individuals have been fulfilling their duties without compensation, unlike furloughed employees who are not required to work and remain unpaid.
Air traffic controllers exemplify these essential workers, although many others, such as Transportation Security Administration employees, also fall into this category.
There has been growing concern among lawmakers as staffing shortages in air traffic control have led to significant delays in major airports across the country.
According to the Pentagon, 1.3 million military personnel will continue their regular duties without pay until Congress passes a continuing resolution or new appropriations.
Johnson remarked, “Democrats should at least agree to compensate all federal employees compelled to work during the Schumer Shutdown. The Shutdown Fairness Act of 2025 offers a permanent solution ensuring that excluded workers, including our military, receive their pay during a shutdown,” he noted in a previous statement regarding the bill.
Who is excluded from this bill?
The legislation does not extend to the numerous furloughed workers. During the shutdown, most government offices are closed, and many federal employees are not required to show up for work. Like their essential counterparts, these furloughed employees will also not receive pay during the shutdown.
When will those not covered receive their back pay?
The bill doesn’t specify a timeline for when workers might receive their pay, but it does mention that back pay will be retroactively awarded to those affected starting from October 1.
In past government shutdowns, federal workers classified as essential and those furloughed have always eventually received compensation for their work. However, it seems the current administration might handle this situation differently.
Additionally, layoffs of federal employees are reportedly moving forward during the shutdown.
