Action is needed by Friday, April 28 to provide continued funding for FY 2017.

Action is needed to ensure continued funding for fiscal year (FY) 2017 which is currently set to expire on Friday, April 28th.  Both Congress and the President must act in order to prevent a government shutdown due to a lapse in appropriations.  Congressional leadership and the administration have been in negotiations regarding an appropriations measure that would keep federal agencies operating for the remainder of FY17.  However, at this time with Congress heading into a two-week recess and funding levels not finalized, it is not yet known whether some type of omnibus measure will be passed and enacted prior to April 28th or whether a short-term Continuing Resolution might be used to avert a shutdown, or whether the possibility of a shutdown exists.

Senator Cardin from Maryland has introduced legislation, S. 861, the Federal Employee Fair Treatment Act that would ensure that all federal employees would be paid in the event of a shutdown—both individuals required to work unpaid and those furloughed.  Additionally, it would allow federal employees remaining on the job to take scheduled annual leave and sick leave as needed.  NTEU strongly supports this legislation.

NTEU recognizes the hardship uncertain agency funding has on federal employees—as our members both need and deserve to receive their paychecks on time, and we are asking Congress to keep the government properly funded and open.  I will keep you updated on further action.

Anthony M. Reardon

 

 

 

National President