Amid Republican-Led Government Shutdown, Gillibrand, Democratic Colleagues Introduce Legislation To Protect Federal Workers

Amid Republican-Led Government Shutdown, Gillibrand, Democratic Colleagues Introduce Legislation To Protect Federal Workers

Oct 9, 2025

Bill Would Protect Federal Workers From Eviction and Other Challenges As Over 100,000 Federal Employees in New York Go Without Pay

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) alongside 17 Senate Democratic colleagues introduced the Federal Employee Civil Relief Act. The legislation would protect federal workers, federal contractor employees, and their families from foreclosures, evictions, and loan defaults during a government shutdown.

"When Congress fails to do its job, hundreds of thousands of hardworking Americans are either sent home or forced to work without pay. The financial pain this causes is real - families across the country are still expected to pay their bills even as they go without a paycheck," said Senator Gillibrand. "Whether it's being evicted or having their cars repossessed, federal employees shouldn't lose the essentials they rely on because congressional Republicans failed to keep the lights on. I'll keep fighting to support our federal workers and get this critical legislation across the finish line."

Cosponsors of the bill in the Senate include Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Mark Warner (D-VA). Companion legislation in the House of Representatives is set to be introduced by U.S. Representative Brendan Boyle (D-PA).

"Republicans control the House, Senate, and Presidency - and they have led our country into a shutdown to avoid bipartisan negotiations or a discussion about the impending Republican-led healthcare crisis. Now, Republicans and the White House are even threatening to not provide legally mandated backpay to workers," said Leader Schumer. "Unfortunately, there are real people - with real concerns about pay and livelihood - who are being used as political pawns in the Republicans' attempt to cater to billionaires and special interests. Senate Democrats remain committed to protecting federal workers who are affected by this shutdown. With the passage of the commonsense Federal Employee Civil Relief Act, federal workers could rest a little easier knowing they and their families are protected from foreclosures, evictions, and defaults during this tumultuous period."

"While the President and congressional Republicans continue to refuse to work with Democrats to stop health care costs from skyrocketing and reopen the government, people are suffering," said Senator Schatz. "Right now, hundreds of thousands of federal workers, federal contractor employees, and their families don't know whether they'll be able to pay rent and make ends meet. Our bill will protect these workers and make sure they aren't harmed during this shutdown."

"Federal workers should not have to pay the price for the Trump Administration's decision to shut down the government. While the President and congressional Republicans refuse to save Americans' health care and fund our government, federal workers are left without a paycheck, worrying that they won't be able to pay their mortgage or rent," said Senator Durbin. "I'm joining my colleagues to introduce the Federal Employee Civil Relief Act to ensure that federal workers are protected from the impact of Republicans' shutdown."

"For nine months, Donald Trump has taken a sledgehammer to our federal workforce, intimidating and purging hardworking public servants as he consolidates power. Now, he's threatening to use the Republican shutdown to inflict even more pain," said Senator Padilla. "California has one of the largest federal workforces in the country, and we must ensure they can pay their bills and stay in their homes through any future shutdown."

"Our federal workers should not be at risk of losing their homes, falling behind on loans, or failing to meet insurance and childcare payments because of this shameful Republican shutdown. This legislation would help protect our dedicated civil servants from financial harm caused through no fault of their own as we work to responsibly fund the government without handing a lawless president a blank check or allowing a massive spike in health care costs for families across America," said Senator Van Hollen.

"Patriotic, hardworking civil servants shouldn't be punished because of Republicans cruelty and inability to govern. I am proud to join in fighting to protect our civil servants - including the over 260,000 civil servants in Maryland - so they don't lose their homes, health insurance, or cars," said Senator Alsobrooks.

"Instead of negotiating with us to ensure our government works for the American people, Trump is forcing millions of workers through a needless government shutdown and threatening to withhold their backpay despite signing the law guaranteeing it himself," said Senator Duckworth. "The longer this shutdown continues, the more harm they'll cause to federal workers across the country and their families. Our bill would help protect federal employees until Republicans finally come to the negotiating table and help find a bipartisan solution that meets the needs of the American people, addresses the health care crisis and reopens our government."

"Federal workers provide essential services to our government and our country, and their livelihoods should not be used by Trump and Republicans as a bargaining chip in this shutdown," said Senator Hirono. "These workers shouldn't be punished for a shutdown that they had no control over, and I'm proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Federal Employees Civil Relief Act. This legislation would help hundreds of thousands of federal employees, ensuring that they have a chance to keep up with their bills and continue to support themselves and their families."

"During a government shutdown, federal employees and contractors are forced to work without pay, leaving many trying to figure out how they're going to pay their rent, mortgage, car payment, or other bills," said Senator Kaine. "That's why I'm introducing this legislation to help protect these federal workers and contractors from losing their home or defaulting on payments during a shutdown."

"Missing even one paycheck can put immense stress on federal employees and their families, including young children," said Senator Cortez Masto. "These public servants are not responsible for Washington's dysfunction, and they should not lose their homes or suffer long-term financial consequences because the government has shut down."

"Federal workers and contractors should not suffer because President Trump and Republicans refuse to negotiate a bipartisan government funding bill that adequately addresses the health care crisis," said Senator Booker. "Congress must act to ensure these workers are protected from penalties resulting from delayed mortgage, insurance, or student loan payments caused by this Republican-led shutdown, during which they are not receiving pay. I will continue to fight for relief for our hardworking federal workers and contractors, and for a funding bill that puts the American people first."

"Federal workers make our government work for New Mexico families - from caring for our veterans to maintaining our public lands and keeping our communities safe. They shouldn't have to suffer because Republicans in Congress refuse to come to the table and work with Democrats to lower health care costs," said Senator Heinrich. "Every hardworking New Mexican deserves the dignity of financial stability and security. The Federal Employees Civil Relief Act will help ensure that the folks who keep our country running aren't left wondering how they'll pay their bills or keep their homes during Trump's manufactured crisis."

"Through no fault of their own, hundreds of thousands of dedicated public servants in Virginia have been furloughed or are currently working without pay. That creates real financial strain for families trying to keep up with mortgages, student loans, and other bills. This legislation will help ensure federal workers and contractors aren't forced to bear the cost of a shutdown they didn't cause," said Senator Warner.

The legislation addresses the threat of federal workers and contractors losing their homes, falling behind on student loans and other bills, having their car repossessed, or losing their health insurance because they have been furloughed during a shutdown or required to work without pay. The Federal Employee Civil Relief Act would protect impacted workers from:

• Being evicted or foreclosed;
• Having their car or other property repossessed;
• Falling behind on their student loan payments;
• Having negative effects on their credit history;
• Falling behind on paying their bills; or
• Losing their insurance because of missed premiums.

The protection would last during and 30 days following a shutdown to give workers a chance to keep up with their bills. The government shutdown, now in its second week, impacts thousands of federal workers and federal contractor employees in all 50 states.

The Federal Employee Civil Relief Act is supported by the National Treasury Employees Union, International Federal of Professional and Technical Engineers, National Federation of Federal Employees-IAM, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, UNITE HERE, LIUNA (Laborers' International Union of North America), and the Transport Workers Union.

"On behalf of our members, we strongly support the Federal Employees Civil Relief Act. This bill provides essential protections for federal workers who, through no fault of their own, face severe financial hardship during a government shutdown. No public servant should be at risk of eviction, repossession, or losing health insurance simply because they are working without pay or furloughed," said Everett Kelley, President of AFGE.

The full text of the legislation can be found here.

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