Ahead of Government Shutdown, Alsobrooks, Elfreth Introduce Legislation to Protect Essential Federal Workers

September 30, 2025

WASHINGTON, DC - At a press conference yesterday, Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) and Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (D-Md.-03) released legislation, the Help FEDS (Federal Employees During a Shutdown) Act, to support federal employees who would be required to work without pay during a government shutdown.

This bill is cosponsored by Senators Van Hollen (D-Md.), Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Duckworth (D-Ill.), Kaine (D-Va.), Schatz (D-Hawaii), and Warner (D-Va.).

"President Trump, Elon Musk, and Russ Vought have shown us very clearly over the last 9 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. 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," said Senator Alsobrooks.

"Government funding runs out in less than 32 hours, and over half of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. 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," said Congresswoman Elfreth. "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."

"Our patriotic, merit-based civil servants work on behalf of the American people every day, delivering essential public services for our country. They should not have to bear the brunt of a political dispute they have nothing to do with, which is why we are fighting to provide them with an economic lifeline should Republicans force a government shutdown," said Senator Van Hollen.

"Americans join the federal workforce because they want to help provide essential services to communities across the country," said Senator Kaine. "They shouldn't be punished for that, especially in the event of a government shutdown. That's why I'm glad to join with my colleagues in introducing this legislation to help make it easier for these patriotic workers to pay their bills as they continue to work on behalf of the American people."

"Virginia is home to hundreds of thousands of dedicated federal employees who keep our government running and our communities safe. The Help FEDS Act will give essential workers some peace of mind that they can cover the basics - putting food on the table, paying for childcare, or getting to and from work - while they continue serving the American people. I'm proud to join my colleagues in standing up for these public servants," said Senator Warner.

"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. 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. I applaud Senator Alsobrooks and Rep. Elfreth for their efforts to help ease the burden placed on these dedicated public servants and for their leadership on this issue," said Doreen Greenwald, NTEU National President.

"In the event of a shutdown, excepted federal workers will be required to work without pay. The least we can do is to allow them to collect unemployment benefits," said Andrew Stettner, Director of Economy & Jobs, the Century Foundation.

"Federal workers should not be pawns in government shutdowns, and if they are required to work without pay, then they should be at least receive unemployment insurance. We appreciate Senator Alsobrooks stepping forward as their champion and introducing this important legislation," said Judy Conti, Government Affairs Director, National Employment Law Project.

This legislation has been endorsed by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the National Treasury Employees Union, the Century Foundation, the National Employment Law Project.

When there is a government shutdown, federal employees who are deemed "excepted" or "essential" are required to work without pay. The President and OMB Director have wide discretion over how many federal employees may be deemed essential. During the last government shutdown, when the Trump Administration was in charge, 420,000 federal employees were deemed essential, meaning that 420,000 were forced to work without pay.

The Help FEDS (Federal Employees During a Shutdown) Act ensures federal employees who are required to work during a government shutdown are eligible to apply for unemployment insurance (UI). Essential employees will receive back pay thanks to legislation that Congress passed after the 2018/2019 shutdown. Under this bill, employees would have to pay back the UI when they receive back pay, and states will be reimbursed for the additional UI they would have to pay out. Furloughed employees during a shutdown are already eligible for UI.

In the House, the legislation is co-sponsored by Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Don Beyer (VA-08), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Danny Davis (IL-07), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Steny Hoyer (MD-05), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Eleanor Norton (DC-AL), Johnny Olszewski (MD-02), Emily Randall (WA-06), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), James Walkinshaw (VA-11), and George Whitesides (CA-27).

Read more in the Baltimore Sun: Alsobrooks, Elfreth to introduce bill to compensate shutdown workers

Read the full bill text here.

###