H.R. 1117 – Shutdown Fairness Act of 2019

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 1:41 AM UTC

The Shutdown Fairness Act of 2019 makes clear that federal workers who are exempt from furlough during a government shutdown and who receive state unemployment benefits for that time are considered to have been totally separated from federal service for that week. This designation lets them qualify for unemployment compensation under federal law. The rule applies to any week beginning on or after Dec. 22, 2018, during the FY 2019 shutdown.

Key Provisions

If a federal employee is exempt from furlough during a shutdown and receives state unemployment benefits for a week, that week is treated as a total separation from federal service.
The employee becomes eligible for unemployment compensation under the federal unemployment statutes for that week.
The clarification applies to weeks starting on or after Dec. 22, 2018, covering any shutdown period in fiscal year 2019.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Ways and Means Committee

February 8, 2019

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

February 8, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Ways and Means Committee

February 8, 2019

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued February 8, 2019

I

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1117

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 8, 2019

Ms. Hill of California introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

A BILL

To clarify that individuals excepted from furlough and paid unemployment compensation on the basis of Federal service during any lapse in appropriations occurring in fiscal year 2019 are deemed eligible for such compensation.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Shutdown Fairness Act of 2019.

2.

Clarification related to eligibility for unemployment compensation

(a)

In general

Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, beginning on December 22, 2018, any individual who is paid unemployment compensation by a State, on the basis of the individual’s Federal service (as defined in section 8501 or 8521 of title 5, United States Code), for a week during fiscal year 2019 during any part of which a lapse in appropriations is in effect with respect to which the individual is excepted from furlough shall be deemed to be totally separated from Federal service and eligible for unemployment compensation benefits under subchapter I of chapter 85 of title 5 of the United States Code for such week.

(b)

Effective date

This section shall apply with respect to weeks beginning on or after December 22, 2018.