Dem bill would let essential workers collect unemployment during shutdown

Rep. Anthony Brown (D-Md.) on Thursday introduced legislation aimed at providing essential government workers access to unemployment benefits during the partial government shutdown.

The bill’s introduction comes as federal workers affected by the shutdown are expected to miss their second consecutive paycheck. The measure would overturn a Department of Labor regulation prohibiting essential employees from collecting jobless benefits.

{mosads}“As the shutdown enters its 34th day, it’s unconscionable that the Trump administration is forcing hundreds of thousands of federal employees to work without providing a means for them to support themselves and their families,” Brown said in a statement. “If the President is going to continue to hold federal employees hostage, then we will ensure they are provided for during his shutdown.”

Brown noted the administration added 50,000 federal workers to the 420,000 employees who were already deemed essential and have been working without pay.

Some states have opted to extend unemployment benefits to essential employees and called on President Trump do the same.

Co-sponsors of the legislation include Democratic Reps. Don Beyer (Va.), Elaine Luria (Va.), Jamie Raskin (Md.), Lori Trahan (Mass.), David Trone (Md.) and Jennifer Wexton (Va.), as well as Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.).

Negotiators have struggled to find a path forward to resolve the funding impasse. Democrats are calling on Republicans to reopen the government before they negotiate how to best handle border security, while Trump has vowed not to sign any spending bill that doesn’t include funding for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.