The current Continuing Resolution (CR) expires Friday, January 19 at midnight. At this point, it is unclear if Congress has enough votes to agree to another short-term CR, which would fund the government until mid-February. There are holdouts from both parties making this round of CR votes less predictable. Some sources on Capitol Hill say a shutdown is more likely than not.
PREPARE your personal finances in case your next paycheck is delayed. Be aware that while federal employees usually receive back pay for days off the job, Congress must authorize back pay so there is no guarantee employees will receive pay for furloughed days. The last time employees were denied back pay after a shutdown furlough was in 2013.
What we know:
- The new CR will continue government operations until midnight on Friday, January 19 2018. At that time, one of two scenarios will unfold: a new CR passes, or a shutdown occurs from a lapse in funding.
- Congressional leadership does not have enough votes to pass another short term CR as of this moment. That can change over the next 48 hours.
What NFFE is doing:
- NFFE continues to push 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. Also, it allows employees to take scheduled annual leave and sick leave as needed.
- 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.
- 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.
- NFFE will keep its members posted as events progress over the next few days.
What you can do:
- Post this memo at your workplace and help spread the word. Gather any needed phone numbers and non-government emails to communicate with colleagues during a shutdown.
- Go over your personal finances and prepare for the possibility of delayed paychecks.
- Help NFFE 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.
- Sign up on the NFFE website and on Facebook @NFFEunion for the most up to date information.
- Read the OPM Q&A document regarding shutdown information.