H.R. 1988 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Ways and Means, Mar 10, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryUnemployment aid for excepted federal workers
When the federal government shuts down because of a budget gap, some workers are required to keep coming to work without pay until the shutdown ends. Right now, these "excepted" workers can't get unemployment benefits even though they're not being paid. This bill would make them eligible for unemployment compensation during the shutdown, with no waiting period.
How it affects you
Military members, federal civilian employees, and certain other federal workers who are required to work without pay during a government shutdown would be able to collect unemployment benefits while waiting to be paid. Most other Americans are not directly affected by this change.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Mar 10, 2025)
Pay Federal Workers and Servicemembers Act
This bill makes federal civilian and military personnel who are excepted from furlough during a government shutdown eligible for unemployment compensation benefits.
During a government shutdown due to a lapse in appropriations, federal employees who are excepted from furlough are required to report for work and perform duties, but their pay is delayed until appropriations legislation is enacted. Under guidance issued by the Department of Labor, excepted employees who are performing services (but whose payment for that work is delayed) are generally ineligible for unemployment compensation benefits based on states' definitions of unemployment.
This bill provides that, for the purpose of determining eligibility for unemployment compensation during a government shutdown, excepted employees are deemed to be (1) totally separated from federal service, and (2) eligible for unemployment compensation benefits with no waiting period for the eligibility to accrue.
The bill applies to the following federal personnel who are excepted from furlough and are not being paid due to a government shutdown: (1) any member of the Armed Forces or the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and (2) any federal civilian employee who is an excepted employee or an employee performing emergency work.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 1988
A BILL
Pay Federal Workers and Servicemembers Act
Sponsor: Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI-6) · Introduced Mar 10, 2025 · Government Operations and Politics · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 10, 2025: “Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.”