Shutdown averted – for now.
UPDATED: On Friday, the Congress passed a short-term spending measure, or Continuing Resolution, to keep the government running for another week. The measure will provided funding for government operations through Friday May 5th, and it now seems congressional leadership will pass a longer funding measure covering the rest of the fiscal year.
What we know:
– Congressional leaders from both parties reached agreement to provide funding for the rest of the fiscal year. After concessions by both sides, poison pill language was removed.
– It is still possible (although very unlikely at this point) that we may face a shutdown next week starting Saturday. Just in case, NFFE is continuing to watch as events unfold and is working hard to stop the future use of federal employees as political pawns.
What NFFE is doing:
1. NFFE is working to pass the Federal Employee Fair Treatment Act (S. 861) which will ensure that employees who are furloughed or forced to work through the furlough, that all employees will be compensated quickly upon the government opening. It also allows employees to take scheduled annual leave and sick leave as needed.
2. NFFE is working hard to protect federal workers through its communications with Congress, insisting that they keep the CR clean and amenable to both parties.
3. NFFE is also campaigning the congress to keep controversial political initiatives separate from funding bills, especially Continuing Resolutions, which serve as a last chance to keep agencies open.
4. NFFE is ready to help members with access to emergency loans through the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA), on which NFFE serves on the board of directors. For more information, visit the FEEA website at www.feea.org.
5. NFFE will keep its members posted as events progress. Sign up on Facebook @NFFEunion for the most up to date information.