Support legislation to pay all federal employees, service members, and contractors during federal government shutdowns and prevent mass firings (Reductions in Force or RIFs) while the government is shutdown.

U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) joined 24 colleagues to introduce the True Shutdown Fairness Act to pay all federal employees and the contractors supporting their work during the shutdown. The Senators’ legislation, the True Shutdown Fairness Act, would also prevent the Administration’s attempts at mass firings (Reductions in Force or RIFs) while the government is shutdown.

Tina Smith worked to pass a bill guaranteeing pay for federal employees, service members, and contractors, and to prohibit mass firings during a shutdown.

Press Releases - Senator Tina Smith
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On October 23, 2025, Senator Tina Smith co-sponsored the True Shutdown Fairness Act, aiming to pay all federal employees, service members, and contractors during government shutdowns and prevent Reductions in Force (RIFs). The legislation was blocked from passage by Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI).

Senator Tina Smith co-sponsored legislation to ensure pay for federal employees and prevent RIFs during shutdowns; the bill was blocked in the Senate.

never same_term A for effort

U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Colleagues Push Legislation to Pay All Federal Employees, Service Members, and Contractors During Shutdown
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On October 3, 2025, Senator Tina Smith introduced the Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act to secure back pay for federal contract workers affected by government shutdowns. The bill aimed to ensure fair compensation for wages and benefits lost due to lapses in appropriations.

Senator Tina Smith introduced legislation to provide back pay for federal contractors during shutdowns.

never same_term A for effort

News - Senator Tina Smith
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In February 2026, new legislation was introduced in the House to pay all federal employees and contractors during government shutdowns. This bill is a companion to a Senate bill introduced in October 2025, which Senator Tina Smith co-sponsored. The Senate bill was blocked from passage.

A House bill introduced in February 2026 mirrors a Senate bill co-sponsored by Senator Tina Smith in October 2025; both aim to ensure pay during shutdowns but have faced legislative hurdles.

never same_term A for effort

New Bill Would Guarantee Pay for Federal Employees and Contractors in Government Shutdowns
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Latest Action: 11/12/2025 Became Public Law No: 119-37. The bill also provides back pay to all federal employees who were not paid during the government shutdown, prohibits federal agencies from taking actions related to a reduction in force (RIF) through January 30, 2026, and nullifies RIFs that were implemented by federal agencies between October 1, 2025, and the date of enactment for this bill.

Congress enacted a shutdown bill that delivered back pay for federal employees and a temporary RIF prohibition/nullification, but it did not fully satisfy the broader request to pay all employees, service members, and contractors during shutdowns.

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H.R.5371 - Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
secondary · model gpt-5.4-mini · confidence 97%

Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) joined 24 colleagues to introduce the True Shutdown Fairness Act to pay all federal employees and the contractors supporting their work during the shutdown. The Senators’ legislation would also prevent the Administration’s attempts at mass firings (Reductions in Force or RIFs) while the government is shutdown. The legislation was blocked from passage by Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI).

Smith took concrete legislative action on the shutdown-pay and anti-RIF proposal, but the measure was blocked in the Senate rather than enacted as requested.

never same_term A for effort

U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Colleagues Push Legislation to Pay All Federal Employees, Service Members, and Contractors During Shutdown
secondary · model gpt-5.4-mini · confidence 95%