Oregon Wants To Protect Workers In Case of 2nd Federal Shutdown

SALEM, OR – State legislators on Tuesday started the process of trying to help federal workers in case of a second shutdown of the federal government. A bill was introduced on Tuesday that would allow certain federal workers to collect unemployment insurance even if they were being forced to work without pay.

While the government has reopened, President Trump gave Congress until Feb. 15 to reach a compromise that he would sign. He has since said that he thinks it's less than a 50 percent change that they will be able to pull that off.

If passed, the bill would make sure that federal employees deemed "essential" – meaning those who are told to work without pay – will be able to collect unemployment insurance even though they are getting paid.

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The bill, Senate Bill 722, also singles out current active duty Coast Guard employees for assistance.

Unlike other branches of the military, they have been forced to work without pay since the shutdown began on Dec. 22.

The bill is emergency legislation, which means that, if passed, it will go into effect immediately and allow active duty Coast Guard workers to get unemployment benefits dating back to the beginning of the shutdown.

Democratic leaders of both the state senate and state house of representatives say that they are hopeful that Republicans will join them in passing the bill.

Photo via Oregon State Legislature.