Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act would ensure back pay for service workers in New Mexico and across the U.S.

Organ Mountain News report

WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján are backing new legislation to guarantee back pay for federal contract workers affected by the ongoing government shutdown.

The proposal, called the Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act, would ensure that contract employees — including security, food service and custodial workers — are paid for the wages and benefits they lost while the government remains closed. Federal contractors, unlike federal employees, are not currently guaranteed back pay once a shutdown ends.

“Every day Trump keeps the government shut down, New Mexico working families suffer,” Heinrich said. “This bill helps ensure New Mexicans are paid for the wages and benefits lost during this manufactured crisis.”

Luján said many federal contractors in New Mexico, particularly those tied to the Department of Energy and Department of Defense, play essential roles in national security and deserve the same protections as direct federal employees.

The bill would:

• Provide back pay and restore used paid leave for federal contract workers following a shutdown
• Cover lost wages up to $1,442 per week, equal to 250 percent of the federal poverty level for a family of four
• Require a report from the Office of Federal Procurement Policy on how contractors access back pay

The legislation is led by Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota and backed by 31 other Senate Democrats. In the House, Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts is sponsoring the companion bill.

The full text of the bill can be found here.