Maryland Democratic Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks are working to support federal workers not just in their state, but nationwide.
With more than 20 senators supporting his efforts, Van Hollen is sponsoring legislation to ensure back pay for federal workers who have lost paychecks during the government shutdown.
“No federal worker or servicemember should be punished for this shutdown that was brought on through no fault of their own. Republicans are hell-bent on letting Trump pick winners and losers here, but every federal worker, servicemember, and federal contractor deserves to get paid. Our legislation would ensure just that, and if Republicans are serious about supporting our federal employees, they will support it,” said Van Hollen in a statement on Oct. 23.
He emphasized the legislation serves as a tool for helping people, advocating for them and pushing back against efforts by President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans.
“We must keep pressing to reopen the government with a responsible agreement that holds the president accountable to the law, protects federal workers and our servicemembers, and prevents massive spikes in Americans’ health care costs,” Van Hollen continued.
Both Van Hollen and Alsobrooks are also supporting legislation to end the furlough for federal workers who work in government agencies that are currently funded and prevent mass layoffs from Reduction in Force (RiF) orders.
“We cannot cherry-pick who gets paid during a shutdown based on our perception of the political affiliations of our patriotic civil servants,” said Alsobrooks while announcing her support for the back pay legislation. “In case some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have forgotten — federal workers don’t just serve Democrats. They serve every American citizen who needs their help. Researching cures for cancer isn’t just for people who live in blue states. Making sure people get their Social Security checks isn’t some left wing conspiracy.
In her first year in the Senate, Alsobrooks warned against a bill introduced by Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin to address pay gaps would leave federal workers vulnerable.
“Senator Johnson’s bill would ignore these dedicated workers, leaving them to continue to go without a paycheck while President Trump refuses to get back to the bargaining table,” she said in an Oct. 23 statement. “They can’t afford to wait for the president to tire of throwing celebratory picnics, or tearing down the White House for a gilded ballroom.”