WASHINGTION (RTW) — The Trump administration announced on Tuesday that there is no guarantee of back pay for over 750,000 federal workers affected by the current government shutdown. This policy reversal is outlined in a new memo from the White House, creating controversy as it implies that federal employees furloughed may not be compensated unless Congress specifically legislates it.
Previously, legislation signed into law following the longest government shutdown in 2019 ensured that federal workers would receive back pay during funding lapses. However, this latest memo from the Office of Management and Budget challenges that precedent, arguing that any form of reimbursement for furloughed workers must now be included in legislation to reopen the government.
As the shutdown enters its seventh day, this action by the administration has been perceived as a tactic to pressure lawmakers into finding a resolution. This should elevate the urgency for Democrats to act, stated House Speaker Mike Johnson at a Capitol press conference.
Critics of the administration's stance, including Democratic Senator Patty Murray, condemned the move as a blatant violation of existing laws, arguing that federal workers are entitled to back pay post-shutdown. Murray's sharp remarks characterize it as an attempt to intimidate workers, asserting that federal employees should not be subjected to political games.
According to the memo from the OMB, the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 indicates that federal employees are owed pay once federal funding resumes, but the bill's stipulations do not automatically ensure back pay without additional congressional action.
The memo's argument suggests that while there is an obligation to pay, it must be addressed within the context of broader negotiations to resolve the government funding deadlock. As there remains an impasse in Congress, both parties appear to be at a standstill, complicating the prospect of a resolution anytime soon.
This debate over federal employee pay reflects deeper issues regarding the government’s operations and the treatment of its workforce during funding disputes, areas that will likely face scrutiny and potential legal challenges as the situation develops.
