GOP slates vote to give federal workers back pay

[October 04, 2013]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Republicans have scheduled a vote on legislation backed by some of the chamber's top Democrats to give federal workers furloughed in the ongoing partial shutdown their missed pay when the government reopens.

The vote could come as early as Friday or Saturday.

The Federal Employee Retroactive Pay Fairness Act is sponsored by veteran Democrats Jim Moran of Virginia and Steny Hoyer of Maryland, as well as Republican Frank Wolf of Virginia. All are longtime supporters of the tens of thousands of federal workers living in their districts in the Washington suburbs.

In the 1995-96 government shutdowns, furloughed workers were give full pay but GOP leaders had yet to commit to the idea this time around. On Wednesday, House GOP leader Eric Cantor did not directly respond when asked if furloughed workers would receive back pay.

"This is consistent with measures that were adopted in previous government shutdowns," said Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md. "There should be broad recognition that people should not have to suffer for actions that are no fault of their own and I hope that there's bipartisan acceptance of that principle."

[Associated Press; By ANDREW TAYLOR]

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