Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Protect Unpaid Federal Workers Act”.
Protect Unpaid Federal Workers Act
A BILL
To permit Federal employees to obtain employment outside the Federal Government during a Government shutdown, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Employment during a Government shutdown
Outside employment permitted—
In general— Notwithstanding any other law, rule, or regulation, and subject to paragraph (3), during any lapse in appropriations beginning on or after December 22, 2018, any Federal employee of an agency with respect to which appropriations have lapsed and who is furloughed or excepted from furlough and working without pay may, during such lapse, seek and obtain employment outside the Federal Government.
Prior approval not required— An employee subject to this subsection may seek and obtain such employment without prior approval from the employee’s employing agency.
Limitations— This subsection shall not be construed to waive any restrictions or requirement with respect to conflicts of interest, including section 208 of title 18, United States Code, or part 2635 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations.
Backpay— Any compensation received by an employee by operation of subsection (a) shall not be taken into account for purposes of determining the amount of backpay such employee is entitled to under section 1341(c) of title 31, United States Code.