ICYMI: Kaine Introduces Legislation to Support Federal Employees and Contractors During a Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced legislation to support federal employees and contractors during a government shutdown. Kaine continues to urge Republicans to negotiate a deal to reopen the government, protect Americans' access to health care, and prohibit the Trump Administration from illegally withholding funding appropriated by Congress. Senate Republicans have blocked Democratic legislation to do that.

"Shutdowns impact Virginia more than any other state. I'm committed to doing everything I can to support Virginians during this period of uncertainty, including our federal workers who have been kicked around by Trump and his cronies since day one of this administration. That's why I introduced four bills this week to support Virginia's dedicated federal employees and contractors and help provide them more financial resources during and after a shutdown," said Kaine. "I'm going to continue working with my colleagues to reach a deal to reopen the government in a way that puts us on a path toward preventing massive increases in Virginians' marketplace health care premiums and prohibiting the President from illegally withholding funds from Virginia."

Kaine has introduced the following legislation this week:

• Emergency Relief for Federal Workers Act: This legislation would waive penalties for federal employees who withdraw funds from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) retirement accounts if the government shutdown is prolonged and ensure that funds could be recontributed later on.
• Emergency Relief for Federal Contractors Act: This legislation would waive penalties for federal contractors currently working without pay who withdraw funds from their retirement savings if the government shutdown is prolonged and ensure that funds could be recontributed later on.
• Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act: This legislation would ensure federal contractors, including janitorial, food, and security services workers, are provided back pay during a government shutdown.
• Help Federal Employees During a Shutdown (FEDS) Act: This legislation would support federal employees who would be required to work without pay during a government shutdown and make them eligible for temporary unemployment benefits.

During the 2018-19 shutdown, Kaine objected to the Senate going out of session and successfully secured passage of legislation to guarantee back pay for all federal employees. In 2023, Kaine introduced the End Shutdowns Act, legislation to prevent government shutdowns by initiating an automatic continuing resolution or short-term funding bill on October 1 if no appropriations bill is passed by that date. Kaine has also introduced the Modernizing the Federal Calendar Act to reduce the use of harmful stopgap funding bills and the risk of government shutdowns by changing the annual government funding deadline from October 1 to January 1 to better align with when Congress passes year-long funding bills.

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