Shutdown Fairness Act

The Shutdown Fairness Act would provide federal funding to pay certain federal employees who are required to continue working during a government shutdown. Currently, these "excepted employees" must work without pay until the shutdown ends and normal appropriations resume. This bill would change that by appropriating funds specifically to pay these workers during shutdown periods.

The bill defines excepted employees as federal workers and certain contractors who support federal operations and are required to work when the government lacks interim or full-year appropriations. The funds provided could only be used during actual shutdown periods and would not apply when continuing appropriations are in effect. If enacted, this would mean federal employees in essential services would receive regular paychecks during shutdowns rather than facing delayed compensation.