As the government shutdown enters its fourth week, nearly 23,000 federal employees in Oregon are grappling with the financial stress of not receiving pay. This situation impacts various sectors, particularly those who are still required to work, such as airport screeners and air traffic controllers. An analysis conducted by the Oregon Journalism Project indicates that back pay for these workers, as mandated by the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act, has already exceeded $140 million.
The effects of the shutdown vary across Oregon’s counties, with some feeling the impact more severely than others. In Sherman County, for instance, federal employees comprise 14% of the workforce and account for more than a quarter of the county’s total annual wages. Many of these workers are employed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is part of the Department of Defense.
Determining the precise economic damage caused by the shutdown remains challenging. According to Nicole Ramos, the regional economist for the Oregon Employment Department, “Not all federal government workers are furloughed, and some are not funded by appropriations. Not every federal worker is going unpaid at the moment.” For instance, the U.S. Postal Service, which operates independently, continues to function and compensate its employees.
Though members of Congress continue to receive their salaries during the shutdown, their staff members face furloughs. Some unpaid federal employees in Oregon are eligible for unemployment benefits. Data from the state shows that 39 new unemployment claims were filed by federal employees in the initial two weeks of the shutdown. If these individuals receive back pay when the government reopens, they may be required to repay their unemployment benefits.
The shutdown, which began on September 30, 2023, is now the second longest in U.S. history. If it persists beyond October, active military service members could stop receiving pay, and benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps) may also be suspended.
In Congress, House Republicans have passed a temporary funding bill, but it has repeatedly failed to gain traction in the Senate. Although Republicans hold a majority with 53 seats, they require 60 votes to advance the legislation and reopen the government. Democrats are withholding support for funding measures unless they include extensions for expiring health insurance tax credits. This comes at a time when health insurance prices for individuals using the Affordable Care Act marketplace are already rising, as reported by the health policy website KFF.
The ongoing situation underscores the complex interplay of political decisions and their direct consequences on the lives of thousands of workers across Oregon, highlighting the urgent need for a resolution to the current impasse.
