FAQ: Maryland Senators' Opposition to Limited Federal Worker Back Pay Bill During Government Shutdown

What is the main issue discussed in this content?

The content discusses a legislative debate over providing back pay to federal workers during a government shutdown, with Republicans proposing limited back pay for essential workers only while Democrats advocate for comprehensive back pay for all affected federal employees.

Why did Senators Van Hollen and Alsobrooks oppose the Republican bill?

They opposed the Shutdown Fairness Act because it would only provide back pay to certain essential federal workers like law enforcement officers and air traffic controllers, while they believe all federal employees should receive back pay for work missed during the shutdown.

What alternative bill did Senator Van Hollen propose?

Van Hollen introduced the True Shutdown Fairness Act, which would provide back pay for the entire furloughed workforce and also prohibit firings of federal workers during a government shutdown.

How many federal employees are affected in Maryland specifically?

Maryland is home to more than 160,000 federal employees, many of whom have been furloughed since the onset of the shutdown.

What is the current legal protection for federal workers regarding back pay?

Federal workers are guaranteed retroactive pay under the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, which ensures back pay once Congress approves new spending to open the government, but not until the shutdown is over.

What was the outcome of the Republican back pay measure?

The Republicans’ back pay measure failed to reach the 60-vote threshold for passage, with a final tally of 54 in favor of moving forward with the bill.

How are federal workers being affected by the shutdown according to union representatives?

According to NFFE National President Randy Erwin, over 1 million employees are missing paychecks, with many picking up second jobs, filing for unemployment, waiting at food banks, and struggling to pay for childcare and college tuition.

What was Senator Johnson’s position on the back pay legislation?

Senator Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, supported the limited back pay approach and argued against limiting the president’s ability to manage the federal government and make tough decisions about reducing the workforce during shutdowns.

Which organizations support Senator Van Hollen’s True Shutdown Fairness Act?

Van Hollen’s bill is backed by several federal employee unions, including the American Federation of Government Employees and National Federation of Federal Employees.

How long has the government shutdown been going on according to the content?

The shutdown had entered its fifth week at the time of the content, with Senator Alsobrooks noting it had been 23 days of the administration ‘using the shutdown as an excuse to further target federal workers.’