Summary
The White House has a memo stating that furloughed federal workers might not get back pay for their time off during the government shutdown. This goes against a widely held belief that a law passed in 2019 ensures these workers will be paid eventually. The White House argues that Congress must specifically approve funds for this pay.
Key Facts
- A White House memo suggests furloughed federal workers are not guaranteed back pay after the government shutdown.
- The memo challenges the "Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019" (GEFTA), which many think ensures back pay for furloughed workers.
- The White House views an amendment to GEFTA as requiring Congress to specifically approve funds for worker pay.
- Furloughed workers need new appropriations by Congress for back pay, according to the memo.
- The administration believes that federal employees working without pay are guaranteed back pay, unlike furloughed workers.
- Federal worker representatives argue that the White House is misinterpreting the law.
- The White House analysis is part of a strategy to pressure Democrats to end the shutdown.
