As a government shutdown continues, U.S. Rep. April McClain Delaney, D-Md., said she will fight to make sure federal workers get back pay.
Delaney hosted a telephone town hall Tuesday evening joined by other members of Congress.
Back Pay
Delaney said “many, many” people reached out to her office about back pay—the retroactive wages that furloughed federal workers are entitled to once the government reopens.
U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., one of the speakers during the town hall, said that just within the last 24 hours the Office of Management and Budget tried to cast doubt on full back pay being guaranteed. Van Hollen said the guidance from the Office of Personnel Management is crystal clear: “federal employees do get fully reimbursed after a shutdown.”
One caller asked if the Senate and House will make sure federal workers get their back pay.
“It is the law,” Delaney said. “They are acting often against the law and in disregard of the law.” She said several unions have already filed lawsuits and “we will be very vigilant as soon as the government opens” to ensure that all federal employees get their pay.
“I am very confident that the courts would very expeditiously rule on that,” she added.
When asked why Congress does not feel the same pain as constituents regarding lack of pay, Delaney said she will donate her pay during the shutdown to nonprofits in her district that help with food insecurity and other safety net programs.
“If our federal workers and our servicemen and servicewomen are not being paid, I don’t think the members of Congress should be paid or the President or any of those in elected office that have an ability to do something about this and are not meeting the moment,” said Delaney.
“I think that should be changed,” Delaney said. She called on other members of Congress to give up their pay.
Health Care
Health care coverage continues to be a big topic for Maryland leaders during the shutdown.
Delaney said more than 190,000 Marylanders benefit from the Affordable Care Act tax credits that may not be renewed. The “One Big Beautiful Bill” would kick 175,000 Marylanders off of Medicaid.
U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., noted Republicans control the House, Senate, and White House—”They’d rather shut down the government than to make health care affordable for the average American.”
House Democratic Caucus Chair U.S. Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., said “Democrats are fighting back to stop Republicans from taking away your coverage and raising your health care costs.”
“It’s not just an alarmist way of attacking this budget. It’s actually really about the health and well-being of all of our residents,” Delaney said.
Resources
Residents can find shutdown resources on Delaney’s website.
People can also reach out to her staff by phone at 301-926-0300.
