Summary
The White House has indicated that some federal workers may not receive back pay after the current government shutdown ends. A memo from the Office of Management and Budget suggests that a 2019 law ensuring retroactive pay does not apply to furloughed workers, despite some lawmakers arguing this interpretation is incorrect. The shutdown, which began on October 1, affects about 750,000 employees, and there is disagreement between Republicans and Democrats on the resolution to reopen the government.
Key Facts
- The Trump administration has signaled some furloughed federal workers might not receive back pay after the shutdown ends.
- A 2019 law signed by President Trump mandates back pay for employees affected by a shutdown, but there is debate about its coverage.
- Approximately 750,000 federal workers are currently not receiving their regular pay due to the shutdown.
- President Trump stated the decision about back pay would depend on the specific workers, suggesting some might not "deserve" it.
- There's a legal disagreement over the interpretation of the 2019 law between President Trump and congressional Democrats.
- The current shutdown started on October 1, with ongoing disagreements in Congress impeding a resolution.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson mentioned new legal analysis questioning the obligation to pay furloughed workers retroactively.
- Some Republican lawmakers also expressed skepticism about denying back pay to furloughed workers.
