The bill will ensure federal contract workers, including low-wage food service, security, and custodial staff, are fairly compensated for the wages and benefits lost during Trump’s shutdown
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M) joined U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and 31 Senate Democrats to introduce the Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act, legislation to ensure New Mexico federal contract workers — including low-wage service workers providing security, food and janitorial services — are fairly compensated for the wages and benefits lost due to Donald Trump’s government shutdown. Unlike federal employees, federal contract workers have no assurances that they will receive back pay to make up for their loss of hours and pay during Trump’s shutdown.
“Republicans control the White House, the Senate, and the House, but they refuse to come to the table and work with Democrats to lower costs and health care premiums. And every day Trump keeps the government shut down, New Mexico working families suffer,” said Heinrich. “I’m proud to introduce legislation that will help ensure New Mexicans are paid for the wages and benefits lost during Trump’s manufactured crisis. Every hardworking New Mexican deserves access to affordable health care and the dignity of financial security.”
“Federal contractors, like those from the Department of Energy and Department of Defense that are safeguarding our national security, should not miss a paycheck because of the Republican shutdown,” said Luján. “These skilled workers are essential for our defense and innovation, and they deserve the same backpay protections as other federal employees. It’s time to right this wrong, and I will fight to ensure that contractors are paid for what they have earned.”
Specifically, the Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act will:
Alongside Smith, the legislation is led by U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.). In addition to Heinrich and Luján, the legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Angus King (I-Maine), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.). The legislation is led by U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) in the House.
The Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act is endorsed by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), AFL-CIO, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Transport Workers Union of America (TWU), Communication Workers of America (CWA), Iron Workers International, National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA), International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), Transportation Trades Department (AFL-CIO), UNITE HERE and American Federation of Teachers (AFT).
The full text of the bill is here.
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