Local Congressional delegation wants to take the “if” out of federal employees’ pay

With the clock ticking on the federal government’s fiscal calendar, Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) and Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA) are preparing legislation to protect federal employees from a government shutdown.  The Federal Employee Retroactive Pay Fairness Act would guarantee back pay for all furloughed workers in the event of a shutdown.

“Our dedicated military, federal employees, and contractors are on the frontlines every single day to keep us safe,” said Rep. Comstock.  “We must all come together to keep the government open so that they do not have to worry where they will find their next paycheck.  As I have said before, keeping the federal government open means that FBI agents who work day and night tracking down criminals and terrorists do not need to worry about a mortgage payment. 

Keeping the federal government open means that Central Intelligence Agency, Department of Defense, and National Security Agency officials will be 100 percent focused on their mission and not concerned about making college tuition payments for their sons and daughters. And keeping the federal government open means that National Institute of Health researchers keep working toward finding new cures.  We can’t use our military, federal employees, and contractors as political footballs.”

“For the third time this year, Congressional dysfunction threatens the livelihood of federal workers carrying out our country’s vital missions,” said Rep. Beyer.  “It’s inexcusable to play politics with their pay and their family’s well-being.  I hope my House colleagues recognize the hardship these funding battles cause hard working American families.”

Federal employee pay is suspended in the event of a funding lapse or government shutdown.  Retroactive pay for all “essential” and “non-essential” federal workers must be approved by Congress.

“There has to be consistency and certainty in government funding for our federal employees to effectively carry out the important work that they do every day to make the U.S. a better, safer place,” Rep. Wittman said. “This culture of stagnation that plagues the budget process in Washington and makes the well-being of federal employees contingent on unrelated policy measures has to end. I’ve said before, and I will say again that this recurring cycle of governing by crisis has to give way to long-term vision and resolve.”