Non-Essential Workers Transparency Act
Non-Essential Workers Transparency Act
Plain Language Summary
# Non-Essential Workers Transparency Act (HR 5908) - Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** This bill requires federal agencies to provide detailed reports to Congress whenever a government shutdown occurs. Within 30 days of a shutdown ending, each agency must submit information about which employees were sent home (furloughed) and which continued working, along with salary costs for each group. The reports would be made public on congressional websites within 30 days, so taxpayers can see how many federal workers were affected and what it cost. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects federal agencies and Congress. It also impacts the public, who would gain access to information about government shutdowns and federal workforce expenses.
Contract workers employed by agencies would be included in the reporting requirements. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee (not yet voted on by the full House), having been introduced by Rep. Scott Franklin (R-FL). The legislation is relatively straightforward—it doesn't change shutdown rules or worker protections, but rather creates a transparency requirement so Congress and the public have clear records of shutdown impacts.
CRS Official Summary
Non-Essential Workers Transparency ActThis bill requires federal agencies to submit reports to Congress regarding employees who were furloughed during a lapse in appropriations (i.e, government shutdown), the total number of employees, and the cost of salaries. Specifically, each federal agency must submit a report to specified congressional committees within 30 days of the end of a lapse in appropriations. The report must include specified details regardingthe total number of employees (including contract employees) employed by the agency before the lapse began,the total number of employees who were furloughed during the lapse,the total number of employees who were not furloughed during the lapse, and the total annual cost of the salaries for each group of employees. The report must be submitted in an unclassified form, but it may include a classified annex. Each congressional committee that receives a report must publish the report on its website within 30 days. The bill also requires the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to submit a report to Congress regarding the economic effects of each lapse in appropriations. CBO must submit the report within 30 days of the end of a lapse in appropriations and make the report available on its website.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.