Gottheimer, bipartisan group introduce bill to ensure federal workers, troops get paid during shutdowns

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Reps. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced legislation Friday aimed at ensuring federal employees, service members, reservists and contractors continue receiving paychecks if the government shuts down.

The proposal, called the Shutdown Fairness Act, was introduced Jan. 16, 2026, by Gottheimer, Rep. Dusty Johnson, Rep. Maggie Goodlander and Rep. Ryan Mackenzie. Sponsors said the bill would require federal agencies to keep paying workers during a lapse in appropriations.

Supporters said the measure would not authorize new spending. Instead, they said it is intended to ensure workers receive their regular pay on time rather than waiting for back pay after a shutdown ends.

“Federal workers and service members are not political pawns — they’re hardworking Americans who keep our country safe, moving, and running,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “They shouldn’t be forced to miss paychecks because Washington can’t get its act together. This bill will make sure no federal worker or service member ever has to worry about putting food on the table because of Congress’s dysfunction.”

“Hardworking federal employees and our military men and women didn’t ask to miss a paycheck, and they shouldn’t have to suffer because Congress didn’t do its job,” said Congressman Dusty Johnson (SD-AL). “My bill would make sure none of these employees are working without pay, unable to make ends meet for themselves and their families.”

Backers of the bill said guaranteeing pay during shutdowns would also help reduce backlogs, service disruptions and contract delays that can build while agencies are closed or operating with limited staff.

They pointed to the most recent 43-day government shutdown, saying missed paychecks caused financial strain for many families and that the bill is intended to prevent workers from bearing the brunt of political gridlock in future shutdowns.

The bill is endorsed by more than a dozen labor and professional organizations representing federal workers and other employees affected by shutdowns, including the American Federation of Government Employees and the International Association of Fire Fighters, according to sponsors.

“Fire fighters don’t get to sit out a shutdown. They show up, do a dangerous job, and protect our nation’s military bases. The Shutdown Fairness Act is about making sure fire fighters get paid for their lifesaving work. The IAFF thanks Reps. Gottheimer and Johnson for their commitment to fire fighters. We urge Congress to pass the Shutdown Fairness Act and ensure no worker is ever again forced to work without pay,” said IAFF General President Edward A. Kelly.

“Federal workers show up every day of the year to serve the American people – even on days when Congress is at an impasse. Most are living paycheck to paycheck and they suffered tremendously during the recent government shutdown – missing rent and car payments and unable to afford food for their families and gas to get to work. The bipartisan Shutdown Fairness Act, led in the Senate by Ron Johnson, permanently ends this mistreatment by providing that federal workers and members of the military will continue to work and get paid during lapses of appropriations. AFGE is profoundly thankful to Reps. Dusty Johnson, Josh Gottheimer, Ryan Mackenzie, and Maggie Goodlander and their bipartisan colleagues for introducing this House bill that will protect American families from financial ruin when Congress can’t agree on spending levels,” said Dr. Everett Kelley, National President, American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO (AFGE).