[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 15, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E47]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE FAIR TREATMENT ACT OF 2019

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                               speech of

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 11, 2019

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 24, the Government 
Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019. Saturday marked the longest 
federal government shutdown in history. It is true that we have been 
able to get back pay for federal employees who were furloughed or who 
worked without pay for every shutdown in recent history. However, 
Congress has acted not out of the kindness of its heart with respect to 
workers who worked without pay; we acted because, under the 
Constitution, specifically the Fifth and Thirteenth Amendments, people 
cannot be made to work without compensation, particularly if they are 
federal employees. That would be a constitutional violation, and 
Congress knows it, and that is why we provide back pay to those 
employees who are forced to work during a shutdown without pay. We must 
also protect those who were not allowed to work during the shutdown, 
but, nevertheless, still incurred all their normal living expenses. We 
cannot be sure that the necessary appropriations will be forthcoming, 
especially in a government where one party controls both the Presidency 
and the Senate. The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, 
guaranteeing back pay, is an essential safeguard that federal employees 
are due.
  At the same time, furloughed federal contract employees, who often 
preform the same jobs as federal employees, are not being paid. 
Therefore, I have introduced a bill that would grant back pay to low-
wage federally contracted retail, food, custodial and security service 
workers who are furloughed during the current and any other federal 
government shutdown this fiscal year (fiscal year 2019).
  Polls have consistently shown that Americans oppose this shutdown and 
are anxious for the president and for Congress to get on with the 
essential tasks of governing. The Government Employee Fair Treatment 
Act of 2019 will operate as an IOU to federal employees who deserve no 
less, but, indeed, much more.

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