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119-hr-5628119th CongressWALLET

Pay Workers What They’ve Earned Act

Sponsored By: Representative Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4]

Introduced

Summary

Creates a federal reimbursement program to pay workers and states for costs caused by government shutdowns. The Pay Workers What They've Earned Act would define who counts as a covered employee, list reimbursable "shutdown costs" like loan and credit-card fees, and set rules for payments, applications, and a Treasury reserve fund for approved claims.

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  • Covered workers and contractors would be eligible. The bill defines "covered employees" to include furloughed federal and D.C. employees, excepted workers who must perform work, and contractors placed on unpaid leave, and would repay shutdown costs such as loan and credit-card fees, prioritizing payments after the lapse that begins on or about October 1, 2025 and for future lapses of 14 days or more, subject to appropriations.
  • States that spend their own funds to provide assistance normally funded by the federal government during a lapse of 14 days or longer would be reimbursed. Reimbursement must be made not later than 90 days after the lapse ends and excludes expenditures already reimbursed under other law.
  • Workers and states must apply to the Treasury within 1 year and provide documentation the Secretary requires. The bill creates a Reserve Fund in the general fund of the Treasury to hold amounts appropriated after enactment and to pay approved shutdown claims, with payments dependent on future appropriations.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Shutdown cost payback for affected workers

If enacted, many federal and DC workers—and some federal contractors—could get paid back for shutdown costs. Covered costs would include loan and credit card charges, and fees, fines, or interest from missed payments caused by lost pay. You would need to apply to the Treasury within one year after the shutdown ends and provide proof the Secretary requires. For the lapse that began on or about Oct. 1, 2025, payments would come as soon as possible after Congress ends that lapse. For later shutdowns lasting 14 days or more, payments would come after the shutdown ends, if money is available.

Repay States for benefits during shutdowns

If a State uses its own money to keep federal assistance payments going during a shutdown of 14 days or more, the federal government would repay the State within 90 days after the shutdown ends. States would need to apply to the Treasury within one year and send the proof the Secretary requires. This would not repay costs already covered under other laws, including unemployment compensation. “State” would include DC, territories, and Indian Tribes.

Create a shutdown reserve for workers

The bill would set up a Treasury reserve fund to help pay workers’ shutdown costs in future lapses. The fund would only have money if Congress puts money into it. It could be used for shutdowns that start after the Oct. 1, 2025 lapse.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4]

NV • D

Cosponsors

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 9/30/2025

  • Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 9/30/2025

  • Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 10/3/2025

  • Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 10/3/2025

  • Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 10/3/2025

  • Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]

    LA • D

    Sponsored 10/3/2025

  • Rep. Rivas, Luz M. [D-CA-29]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 10/8/2025

  • Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1]

    MO • D

    Sponsored 10/14/2025

  • Del. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large]

    VI • D

    Sponsored 10/14/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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