As we approach the 30-day mark in
the Government Shutdown, federal employees are feeling more repercussions and
stress due in large part to the absence of a full pay check and the overall
uncertainty of when the government will reopen.
It is our desire to communicate with NASCOE’s members to the maximum
extent to provide accurate and timely information.
In this report, we
hope to provide information pertaining to available benefits, proposed
legislation, as well as recently passed legislation regarding our pay and
benefits during this shutdown. We want to express our appreciation to Clint
Bain, Southeast Area Legislative Chairperson assigned benefits legislation, for
compiling the following information in this report.
2018 W-2s are available on the Employee Personal Page
NFC is in the process of mailing out tax year 2018 W-2s. The mailing process will continue through Thursday, January 31, 2019. Of the approximately 705,000
W-2s to be issued, all but about 9,000 are expected to be available on the Employee Personal Page (EPP). If an employee’s W-2 is not there, they are among the 9,000 in suspense and will require manual intervention by NFC. As they are released from suspense, they will be mailed and updated to EPP and the reporting center.
Presidential Signed Legislation
2019 Government Employee Fair Treatment Act
The President
signed into law on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 the Act that will allow all
federal employees who have been furloughed to receive back pay once the
government has been funded. It also specifies that
federal payroll providers begin to process checks as soon as the lapse in
appropriations ends, regardless of the next scheduled pay date. While furloughed government employees do not
accrue leave, Congress and the President have authorized a retroactive accrual
of leave in the Jan. 16 back pay bill.
Proposed Legislation
Financial Relief for Feds Act (H.R. 545)
This
piece of legislation if passed will allow Federal Employees to withdraw money
from their TSP account without penalty. The Financial Relief for Feds Act allows furloughed
federal employees, “essential” federal employees working without pay to make a
withdrawal from their retirement savings accounts without the 10% penalty that
normally applies. That includes not only Thrift Savings Plans (TSP) but also
accounts such as IRAs. Individuals will be able to make multiple withdrawals
from their retirement accounts without penalty and will be allowed to
recontribute the money to their accounts once the government reopens.
| Sponsor: | Rep. Olson, Pete [R-TX-22] (Introduced 01/15/2019) |
| Committees: | House – Ways and Means; Oversight and Reform |
| Latest Action: | House – 01/15/2019 Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. |
To provide loans to employees of the Federal Government
and the government of the District of Columbia affected by a Government
shutdown, and for other purposes (H.R. 657) introduced by Representative
T.J. Cox, D- California
This piece of
legislation willgive Federal
employees access to a $6,000 loan which would be withdrawn from their pay check
once government has reopened.
| Sponsor: | Rep. Cox, TJ [D-CA-21] (Introduced 01/17/2019) Cosponsors: (84) |
| Committees: | House – Oversight and Reform |
| Latest Action: | House – 01/17/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. |
The End Government Shutdown Act (S. 104) introduced by Senator Rob Portman,
R-OH
This piece of
legislation will allow government to run on previous spending levels, an
automatic continuing resolution, in the event Congress fails to approve a
spending package.
| Sponsor: | Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH] (Introduced 01/10/2019) Cosponsors: (10) |
| Committees: | Senate – Appropriations |
| Latest Action: | Senate – 01/10/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations. |
The Government
Shutdown Prevention Act (S. 147) introduced by Senator
Rand Paul, R-KY
Would
prevent government shutdowns by keeping the government open but
instituting a one-percent cut to then-current funding levels for any agency,
program, and activity that Congress failed to fund by the start of the fiscal
year (October 1). Funding would be reduced by another one percent every 90 days
thereafter that an agreement is still not enacted.
| Sponsor: | Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY] (Introduced 01/16/2019) Cosponsors: (2) |
| Committees: | Senate – Appropriations |
| Latest Action: | Senate – 01/16/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations. |
The
Federal Employee Civil Relief Act
Would prohibit landlords and debt collectors from taking action against
federal employees unable to pay their bills because of the shutdown.
| Sponsor: | Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI] (Introduced 01/09/2019) |
| Committees: | Senate – Finance |
| Latest Action: | Senate – 01/09/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. |
NASCOE
fully understands the concerns of FSA employees and we will continue to do our
best to serve our membership by providing factual and timely communications as
developments in this situation occur.
