Sturgeon Bay’s Coast Guard families could be getting more money from missing their paychecks due to the partial government shutdown. Under the Back Pay Fairness Act cosponsored by Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin, 800,000 federal workers including members of the United States Coast Guard, would see approximately 3.6 percent in interest added to their paychecks. Senator Baldwin says if the government can charge you interest for unpaid taxes, it should be able to pay you when it does not send you a check.
The bill is a variation of one already signed into law by President Donald Trump on January 16th guaranteeing back pay for federal employees negatively impacted by the 35-day shutdown. Senator Baldwin hopes Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell brings it to a vote as soon as possible.
