Shutdown Over the Iran War? How Federal Employees Can Prepare Before December 11

Government funding runs out on December 11, and talk of a government shutdown over the Iran war is now circulating in Congress. Some lawmakers want the next funding bill to carry one condition: no money for combat in Iran. Nothing has been voted on, and it is not clear how likely a shutdown is. But federal employees have lived through two record shutdowns, so it makes sense to prepare now rather than on December 10.

What Lawmakers Are Proposing

According to reporting from Truthout on November 6, Senator Chris Van Hollen and Representative Ro Khanna have launched an effort to add that condition to the next funding bill. They point to 1973, when Congress cut off the money and the bombing in Southeast Asia stopped. Van Hollen has said he will not vote for anything that funds the war, and Senator Chuck Schumer has said, “we are going to end the war.”

The math matters here. Republicans control Congress until January, but under today’s rules a funding bill needs sixty votes in the Senate. Whether the proposal gains traction, or leads to a lapse in funding, is something we simply do not know yet.

How to Get Ready for a Possible Shutdown

Preparing does not mean expecting the worst. It means knowing your answers before anyone is asking. Here are practical steps to consider:

• Find out whether you are excepted or furloughed. Ask your supervisor this week, not on December 10.
• Save your key records. Keep copies of your SF-50s, your most recent pay stubs, and your supervisor’s cell phone number.
• Understand what furlough means. A furloughed employee is locked out of work systems.
• Ask your bank or credit union about their shutdown programs. Many have one.
• Remember back pay. A 2019 law, the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, provides back pay when a shutdown ends. Your landlord, however, does not take back pay, so plan for the gap.
• If you are furloughed, you do not work. That includes email. It is against the law for an agency to let you.

What to Do Next

Keep an eye on the funding negotiations as December 11 approaches, and ask your agency now what its plan is. Have a question about how a shutdown could affect your own situation? Write it down and take it to your supervisor or HR office this week. We would also like to hear from you: what is your agency telling you? Share it in the comments on our video.

Legal Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Federal employment situations are fact-specific and time-sensitive. Please consult a qualified federal employment attorney about your specific situation. You can contact Southworth PC at attorneysforfederalemployees.com.