Representative Scott Franklin (R-FL) is introducing legislation to examine the economic effects of the ongoing government shutdown.
Specifically, Rep. Franklin's Non-Essential Workers Transparency Act requires all federal agencies to disclose the number of furloughed employees and how much each will be paid in back pay by the taxpayers for not working.
In addition, the bill requires this information to be publicly available and compiled in a report to Congress.
According to Rep. Franklin's press release, shutdown-related lost compensation costs can reach $400 million per day, and economic losses can range from $7 billion to $14 billion depending on the duration.
"Shutdowns have real consequences for families, service members, and federal workers, and this one was completely avoidable," the Florida Congressman said in a statement. "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."
As a result, Franklin concluded that "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."
Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) is introducing the Senate companion bill.
In early October, Representative Mike Haridopolos (R-FL) similarly criticized Senate Democrats for stalling an economic upswing by shutting down the government.
"The economy is growing at 3.8%, a number a lot of people never thought possible; We know about the record stock market right now booming, we know about the interest rates coming down and the trillions, not billions, but trillions of dollars being invested here in America," Rep. Haridopolos said. "And what did the Democrats choose to do? To shut down this economic roll."
