LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The partial government shutdown is now the longest in U.S. history at 60 days, leaving thousands of federal workers without pay. As Congress returns from recess, the largest federal employees union is pushing back.
The Shutdown Fairness Act would make it illegal to withhold pay from workers like TSA officers during a government shutdown. Union leaders for the TSA at Harry Reid International Airport said the passing of the act would mean peace of mind and stability after weeks of uncertainty, as workers have shown up faithfully without pay to work. The airport has experienced some of the lowest call-out rates, averaging around 10 percent.
READ MORE: TSA officers face paycheck uncertainty as shutdown continues
Union leaders demand action
“It’s totally unacceptable for TSA employees to have to continue to go through this on a regular basis,” said Keith White, TSA union leader with AFGE.
For 60 days, federal workers with the Department of Homeland Security have experienced uncertain pay or no pay at all as Congress enters into the longest partial government shutdown.
“Yeah, we do. We feel like political pawns,” White said.
The largest federal employees union, AFGE, is demanding that Congress pass the Shutdown Fairness Act.
“This is so important that this bill gets passed and that employees can be paid if there is another shutdown,” White said.
The Shutdown Fairness Act would ensure all federal employees are paid on time and in full during any current or future shutdowns.
Shutdowns used as political tool
Rebecca Gill, professor of political science at UNLV, explained how the government uses shutdowns as a way to make difficult decisions.
“Shutdowns didn’t just start happening out of nowhere. They started happening because they were a tool,” Gill said.
The primary cause of this government shutdown is a dispute over reforms to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, and Customs and Border Protection.
“By creating some pressure on them, it can get them to move, right? In ways that they might otherwise be reluctant to solve this problem,” Gill said.
Nevada delegation responds
Members of the Nevada delegation were contacted. Only Senator Rosen responded.
“Washington Republicans have withheld paychecks from TSA agents and other Department of Homeland Security employees for the past two months – and when the Senate reached a bipartisan agreement to fund most agencies within the department, House Republicans rejected it,” said Senator Rosen. “I’ve long believed that members of Congress shouldn’t collect their salaries during government shutdowns while federal employees are forced to keep working without pay. That’s why I’ve repeatedly introduced my bipartisan No Budget, No Pay Act to prohibit lawmakers from receiving a paycheck during a shutdown and hold Congress accountable to pass a budget in time.”
However, it is unclear if this bill will be brought to a vote.
“It’s unfortunate that America has to see people suffering at the airport before they actually move to make any progress as far as TSA is concerned,” White said.
At this time, it is unclear if the Shutdown Fairness Act will be called to a vote. It is also unclear when Congress plans to vote on a resolution to end the government shutdown.
Before going on recess, the U.S. House of Representatives took no action on a Senate compromise measure that would end the partial shutdown. As Congress returned this week, it is unclear if a vote will be called.
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