HR 3223 ensures that all employees retroactively receive back pay once the federal government re-opens
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX28) voted in favor of HR 3223, the Federal Employee Retroactive Pay Fairness Act which passed the House of Representatives.
“From the beginning, I have been deeply concerned about the impact of the needless government shutdown on federal employees,” said Congressman Cuellar. “Federal employees should not be held responsible for the inability of an extreme faction of the Republican Party to govern. This act will ensure that the roughly 800,000 federal workers across the country who have been furloughed as a result of the government shutdown will receive their pay.”
Congressman Cuellar also released the following letter from the National Active and Retired Employees Association thanking Members of Congress who co-sponsored HR 3223:
“On behalf of the five million federal employees and annuitant represented by the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), I write to thank you for cosponsoring the Federal Employee Retroactive Pay Fairness Act (H.R. 3223/S. 1567). This bill will guarantee that all federal employees are paid retroactively for pay lost during the government shutdown.
While Congress plays political games determining how to pay its bills, for middle-class families, a government shutdown means not knowing if or when they will be able to pay mortgages, utility bills and buy groceries. And for those already hit by unpaid furloughs and over 1,000 days of a pay freeze, an indefinite time without pay is an unnecessary strain. With the passage of H.R. 3223/S. 1567, these employees, who provide vital services to the American people, will have a little peace of mind.
As you know, federal employees remain a target during the ongoing fiscal talks. Thank you, again, for your continued support of federal employees and the hard work they perform every day.
Sincerely,
Joseph A. Beaudoin
National President
