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Congressman Scott Franklin (FL-18) is demanding full transparency on the taxpayer cost of the Schumer Shutdown. Today he introduced the Non-Essential Workers Transparency Act, a bill requiring all federal agencies to disclose the number of furloughed employees and how much each will be paid in backpay by the taxpayers, for not working. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. This bill ensures taxpayers receive full transparency on the scope and cost of any shutdown.

“Shutdowns have real consequences for families, service members and federal workers and this one was completely avoidable,” said Congressman Franklin. “Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, are holding the government hostage to push unrelated political demands instead of doing their job to fund essential operations. If they’re willing to grind government to a halt for politics, the American people deserve a full accounting of the cost. Taxpayers should know the total price tag of this Democrat-manufactured shutdown. When billions in taxpayer dollars and vital services hang in the balance, Democrats shouldn’t get to hide the bill from the American people.”

The Non-Essential Workers Transparency Act would require federal agencies to submit a public report after any lapse in appropriations. The bill does not change pay rights or employee status. Agencies would provide the following information related to the shutdown period:

• Total number of employees and contractors;
• Number who continued working and number furloughed;
• Total compensation associated with each group;
• Public posting of this information by congressional oversight committees; and
• A Congressional Budget Office report on the economic impact of the shutdown.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates shutdown-related lost compensation costs reach roughly $400 million per day and total economic losses can range between $7 billion and $14 billion depending on duration.

During shutdowns, some federal employees continue working without pay while others are furloughed and prohibited from working. Under Public Law 116-1, all federal employees receive backpay once funding resumes, while contractors generally do not. Agencies track this information, yet there is no transparent public accounting of how many employees are impacted or what the shutdown truly costs taxpayers.

The Non-Essential Workers Transparency Act would create a clear public receipt so families can see the effects of shutdowns and hold federal decision-makers accountable. Making this information public strengthens oversight and supports responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

Click here to read the full bill text.

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