Non-Essential Workers Transparency Act
Summary
The Non-Essential Workers Transparency Act mandates that Executive agencies report to Congress on employees furloughed during lapses in appropriations. These reports must include the total number of employees, expenditures on salaries, and details on both furloughed and non-furloughed employees. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is also required to submit a report on the economic effects of such lapses.
Expected Effects
This act aims to increase transparency regarding the impact of government shutdowns on federal employees. It requires agencies to provide detailed information about furloughed workers and the associated costs. Additionally, the CBO report will provide insights into the broader economic consequences of appropriation lapses.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in government operations during funding lapses.
- Provides Congress with detailed data to inform future budget decisions.
- Offers the public a clearer understanding of the impact of government shutdowns on federal employees.
- The CBO report could lead to better economic forecasting and policy responses during funding gaps.
- Potentially incentivizes Congress to avoid lapses in appropriations.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased administrative burden on Executive agencies to compile and submit the required reports.
- Potential for delays in the publication of reports due to classification and review processes.
- The act itself does not prevent government shutdowns, only reports on them.
- The data collected may not fully capture the indirect costs and impacts of furloughs.
- The reports could be used for political purposes, potentially misrepresenting the true impact of furloughs.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the principle of government transparency and accountability, which are implicit in the Constitution's structure. Article I, Section 9 requires the publication of a regular statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public money. While this bill doesn't directly address that clause, it promotes similar transparency regarding employee costs during funding lapses. The bill also respects the separation of powers by requiring the Executive branch to report to the Legislative branch.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).