Legislation was reintroduced last week to protect federal employees and their families from oreclosures, evictions, and loan defaults during a government shutdown.
Congressman Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) reintroduced the Federal Employee Civil Relief Act (H.R. 1301 and S. 640) that would enable government employees and contractors to postpone payment obligations during a shutdown or debt default and for 30 days afterward.
“No family should be left struggling to pay their bills and provide for their families because of the failure of Congress to do its job,” said Kilmer. “Federal workers aren’t Democrats or Republicans when they show up for work. They are public servants that protect our sailors through their work at the shipyard, that prepare timber sales in the federal forests, that welcome visitors to national parks, that care for our veterans, that ensure citizens can get the services they need, and that keep us safe. We should have their backs.”
“Federal workers are dedicated public servants who inspect our food and water, maintain our parks, and care for our veterans,” said Schatz. “The last choice they should have to make is between feeding their families and keeping the lights on.”
According to Kilmer, if passed, the bill’s protection would last during a shutdown and debt default and 30 days afterward enabling federal employees to apply to a court to temporarily postpone payment obligations or eviction or foreclosure actions.
This legislation is supported by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), Federal Managers Association (FMA), International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), and National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU).
