A bill has been introduced in the House and Senate that wouldensure payment of federal employees furloughed due to a lack offunding during the government shutdown.

The office of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) toldCredit Union Times on Friday that the House will vote onthe legislation Saturday. A number of credit unions have pledged to cover direct deposits of their members who work forthe federal government, including active military.

Under the Federal Employee Retroactive Pay Fairness Act, federalemployees that were “furloughed as a result of any lapse inappropriations which begins on or about October 1, 2013, shall becompensated at their standard rate of compensation, for the periodof such lapse in appropriations, as soon as practicable after suchlapse in appropriations ends.”

Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) sponsored the House version, H.R. 3223,which has 177 co-sponsors. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) sponsored thelegislation in the Senate, S. 1567, which has 27 co-sponsors.

“Hard-working federal employees did not cause our fiscal crisesnor did they contribute to the legislative gridlock, but once againthey are being asked to pay the heaviest price toward aresolution,” Cardin said in a statement.

“Nearly a million federal workers could lose their pay becauseCongress failed to do its job and keep the government up andrunning,” Moran said.

“Leaving the question of retroactive pay for furloughedemployees, already shouldering much of the burden of sequestration,up to this highly divisive Congress is deeply concerning,” Moransaid.

“Today's bipartisan proposal shields family pocketbooks frompartisan politics and reaffirms our commitment to our federalemployees,” he said.

The government shutdown began on Tuesday.