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Washington, D.C.—The leader of the largest independent union of federal workers applauded a bill, the DHS Employee Retroactive Pay Fairness Act, introduced by Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) and co-sponsored by Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) that would mitigate the impact of a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown on employees.

President Colleen M. Kelley, National President of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), offered strong support for the bill stating, “NTEU has been working with members of Congress to minimize the harm done by an unnecessary shutdown to employees who serve their country so ably by protecting our borders.”

The bill would authorize employees furloughed due to a DHS shutdown to be paid once appropriations are approved. “NTEU appreciates this action by members of the House to prevent furloughed employees from the hardship of lost pay,” Kelley said.

It is unthinkable that once again, DHS employees are facing a shutdown, the NTEU leader said.

“Congress should act quickly to avert the looming shutdown of Homeland Security and pass a full-year funding bill for the department as soon as possible,” she said.

In the event of a shutdown, nearly 200,000 DHS employees, including thousands of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) employees represented by NTEU, would have to report for duty with no idea as to when they will get paid. Others will be furloughed and will be not be paid without legislation such as this.

NTEU, the nation’s largest independent federal-employee union, represents 150,000 employees in 31 agencies and departments.