Summary
House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that federal workers furloughed during the government shutdown might not automatically receive back pay, based on a new White House memo. This report suggests Congress must explicitly approve such payments, differing from past practices where furloughed employees usually received retroactive pay. This change could heighten tensions as political leaders work to resolve the ongoing budget standoff.
Key Facts
- House Speaker Mike Johnson warned furloughed federal workers might not automatically get back pay.
- The White House memo argues Congress must specifically approve pay for furloughed workers.
- This position is a shift from the 2019 Government Employee Fair Treatment Act's interpretation.
- The new analysis indicates funds are authorized but not automatically set aside for back pay.
- Some legal experts question whether back pay is necessary, per Johnson's comments.
- The matter adds tension as lawmakers debate health care subsidies and other budget concerns.
- Roughly 750,000 federal employees are affected by the ongoing government shutdown.
- Democrats criticized the new stance as unlawful, emphasizing workers' rights to back pay.
