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H.R. 720House116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

To deem Federal employees excepted from furlough during a Government shutdown in fiscal year 2019 to be eligible for unemployment compensation, and for other purposes.

Sponsored by Anthony G. BrownRep. Anthony G. Brown (D-MD)
Introduced January 23, 2019

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 12:57 AM UTC

The bill would treat federal workers who are required to work during a government shutdown (those excepted from furlough) as if they were separated from their jobs for the purpose of unemployment benefits. It applies to any shutdown that began on or after December 22, 2018, during fiscal year 2019, and would let those employees receive unemployment compensation without the usual waiting period.

Key Provisions

  • Federal employees who are excepted from furlough and are not paid because of a shutdown are considered separated from federal service for unemployment insurance purposes.
  • These employees become immediately eligible for unemployment benefits under the existing federal unemployment compensation program, with no waiting period.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Worker and Family Support.

Work and Welfare Subcommittee

March 1, 2019

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 23, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Ways and Means Committee

January 23, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Worker and Family Support.

Work and Welfare Subcommittee

March 1, 2019

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 23, 2019

I

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 720

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 23, 2019

Mr. Brown of Maryland (for himself, Mr. Raskin, Mr. Trone, Ms. Norton, Mr. Beyer, Mrs. Trahan, and Ms. Wexton) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

A BILL

To deem Federal employees excepted from furlough during a Government shutdown in fiscal year 2019 to be eligible for unemployment compensation, and for other purposes.

1.

Eligibility for unemployment compensation during Government shutdown

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, during fiscal year 2019, with respect to any lapse in appropriations beginning on or after December 22, 2018, any Federal employee who is excepted from furlough and is not being paid due to a lapse in appropriations shall be deemed to be separated from Federal service and eligible for unemployment compensation benefits under subchapter I of chapter 85 of title 5, United States Code, with no waiting period for such eligibility to accrue.