Federal Employees

As a federal employee for nearly 30 years the recent shutdown is the 6th one I have endured.  In each one federal employees have always been paid.  Overall federal employees are either considered essential or not during a shutdown.  For those not considered essential it's basically a paid vacation.  For those considered essential they are required to work.  Essential employees receive no additional compensation which probably isn't right since the unessential ones get a free paid vacation. 

Congress should pass a law such that essential employees will get time and a half during a shutdown to compensate them for not getting a free paid vacation.  Passing a law like this would likely prevent future shutdowns since Congress would never want to pay essential employees time and a half .