With a government shutdown looming, Maryland’s congressional delegation has introduced legislation to ensure federal employees forced to work without pay can access unemployment benefits.
Maryland Democrats U.S. Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks and Rep. Sarah Elfreth in introducing the Help Federal Employees During Shutdowns Act—the Help FEDS Act. The measure would allow essential workers, who must continue reporting for duty even during a lapse in funding, to apply for unemployment insurance.
“Our patriotic, merit-based civil servants work on behalf of the American people every day, delivering essential public services for our country,” Van Hollen stated. “They should not have to bear the brunt of a political dispute they have nothing to do with. That is why we are fighting to provide them with an economic lifeline should Republicans force a government shutdown.”
Alsobrooks said she would not stand by as federal employees are left vulnerable.
“President Trump, Elon Musk, and Russ Vought have shown us very clearly over the last nine months that they do not care about our civil servants, the patriotic men and women that work on behalf of the American people under Democratic and Republican presidents alike,” she remarked. “I will fight with all that I have to ensure our civil servants continue to be paid even if Republicans shut down the government because of their own incompetence.”
Elfreth added the bill is necessary to prevent workers from falling deeper into financial strain.
“Government funding runs out in less than 32 hours, and over half of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck,” she asserted. “If Congress can’t avert a shutdown, that doesn’t mean our constituents should have to suffer. The Help Federal Workers During Shutdowns Act is a small but meaningful fix to allow essential federal workers to be eligible for unemployment insurance during shutdowns. If we are asking these essential employees to go without pay and to keep providing their lifesaving services to the American people, the least we can do is provide them with some temporary financial support during these uncertain times.”
The legislation amends the Social Security Act to require states to provide unemployment benefits to “excepted” federal employees—those compelled to work during a lapse in appropriations. Under the proposal, employees would be required to repay unemployment benefits once back pay is received after a shutdown, and states would be reimbursed for both the benefits and administrative costs.
During the 2018–2019 shutdown, 420,000 employees were deemed essential and worked for more than a month without pay. Sponsors say the bill ensures workers will not again face the same uncertainty.
Rep. Don Beyer, a Virginia Democrat, said the bill is about fairness.
“Government shutdowns are deeply harmful to our country and to the civil servants who provide essential services the American people rely on,” Beyer insisted. “While our ultimate goal must be to prevent shutdowns entirely, Congress has a responsibility to shield public servants from the worst impacts when funding does lapse.”
Beyer noted that furloughed employees are already eligible for unemployment insurance, yet federal employees who are deemed essential and must still report to work face the same uncertainty of delayed paychecks, but with no safety net.
“Our legislation would extend unemployment insurance to these essential workers, ensuring they can continue paying their bills while serving the American people,” he said.
Rep. Steny Hoyer said the legislation pushes back against attacks on civil servants.
“The Trump administration has waged a crusade against our federal workers since January, and Russell Vought is taking advantage of the looming shutdown in order to further villainize and traumatize the federal workforce,” Hoyer saod. “I have seen how government shutdowns put intense strains on our federal workers, which is why I am proud to co-sponsor a bill with my friend, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth, to ensure essential federal civilian employees have the resources they need to stay afloat in the event of a shutdown.”
The House version is co-sponsored by more than 20 Democrats, including Reps. Yassamin Ansari of Arizona, Wesley Bell of Missouri, Jamie Raskin of Maryland, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton of D.C..
Doreen Greenwald, national president of the National Treasury Employees Union, praised the measure.
“Federal employees, through no fault of their own, are caught in the middle of a political dispute that could force them to go to work without knowing when they will be paid,” Greenwald said. “The Help FEDS Act would provide these nonpartisan civil servants with vital resources to help keep gas in their cars, provide food and necessary medicines for their family and give them peace of mind as they navigate a period of immense financial uncertainty while delivering essential services Americans depend on.”