Every time the federal government shuts down, hundreds of thousands of employees and service members are caught in the middle of political gridlock. They are told to stay home or report to work, but without a paycheck. Families who live paycheck to paycheck suddenly face weeks of uncertainty, forced to borrow money, delay bills, and sacrifice essentials just to stay afloat.

Even when the shutdown ends and back pay arrives, the damage is already done. Missed payments, late fees, and credit score drops do not disappear overnight. Many federal workers take years to recover financially and emotionally from the stress caused by something entirely beyond their control.

Shutdowns are not just political events. They are human events that hit the working men and women who keep our nation operating. Air traffic controllers, military personnel, corrections officers, border patrol agents, and countless others remain dedicated to their duty, yet the system fails to protect them in return.

That is why we are calling for a Federal Employee Hardship Tax Credit. It is a practical, fair, and compassionate solution to help government workers recover from the financial and emotional burdens of a shutdown.

So I ask the U.S. Congress, the Department of the Treasury, and the White House:

We, the undersigned, call on our federal leaders to pass a temporary tax credit for government employees who endured financial hardship during the most recent government shutdown.

When the government shuts down, thousands of hardworking Americans are either furloughed without pay or required to work without pay, including air traffic controllers, TSA agents, law enforcement officers, active duty military, and countless civil servants who keep our nation running.

Although back pay is eventually issued, it does not erase the financial strain, late fees, credit damage, or emotional toll caused by weeks without income. Many government families are forced to borrow money, delay bills, or dip into savings simply to survive, through no fault of their own.

We believe Congress should enact a Federal Employee Hardship Tax Credit for the tax year following any government shutdown lasting 10 days or longer. This credit would:

Provide a one-time refundable tax credit (for example, $500 to $1,000 per affected employee)
Automatically apply to verified federal employees and uniformed service members impacted by the shutdown
Acknowledge and offset the true costs of enduring a government shutdown
This is not about politics. It is about fairness and dignity for those who continue serving the American people even when the government stops paying them.

Sign this petition to tell Congress:
Support our federal workforce. Pass a hardship tax credit for government employees impacted by the shutdown.

Every shutdown leaves real families struggling, not just statistics on a budget sheet. By standing together and demanding this change, we can make sure that the people who serve our nation are never left behind again. Add your name and your voice; it is time to protect those who protect and serve us all.