Trump Suggests Some Federal Workers May Not Get Paid After Shutdown

In-Depth Analysis

The controversy stems from a draft White House memo that interprets the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 differently than previous guidance. The 2019 law was enacted after a record 35-day shutdown in 2018 to automatically apply back pay to federal employees after any lapse in appropriations.

The memo argues that a clause in the law requires Congressional action to enact back pay, despite the law's intention to streamline the process. This interpretation contradicts the Office of Personnel Management's guidance and an earlier memo from the Office of Management and Budget, which initially acknowledged the law's automatic restoration of pay before being updated to remove that paragraph.

This move is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to pressure Democrats during the shutdown, including efforts to cancel grant funding and hold up transportation funding in states that did not support Trump in 2024. The administration has also threatened widespread reduction-in-force efforts at federal agencies.

**How to Prepare:** Federal workers should closely monitor developments and prepare for potential delays in receiving back pay. It may be prudent to have a financial buffer in place to mitigate the impact of a prolonged shutdown.

**Who This Affects Most:** This directly affects the roughly 600,000 furloughed federal workers who are now uncertain about receiving back pay.

Read source article

FAQ

What does the 2019 law say about back pay for federal workers?

The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 guarantees federal workers "shall be paid" when a shutdown ends, whether they were furloughed or continued working.

Why is there a debate about back pay now?

A draft White House memo argues that Congressional action is still required to enact back pay, despite the 2019 law's intent.

What is the White House's justification for this position?

The memo cites a clause in the 2019 law that says workers shall be paid "subject to the enactment of appropriations Acts ending the lapse."

Has this position been consistent within the administration?

No, an earlier memo from the Office of Management and Budget initially acknowledged the law's automatic restoration of pay before being updated to remove that paragraph.

Takeaways

The Trump administration is considering denying back pay to some furloughed federal workers.
This contradicts a 2019 law designed to ensure federal workers are compensated after a shutdown.
The move is part of a broader effort to pressure Democrats during shutdown negotiations.
Federal workers should monitor developments and prepare for potential delays in receiving back pay.

Discussion

Do you think this trend will last? Let us know!

Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!

Sources

Live updates: The latest on the government shutdown | CNN Politics White House floats no back pay for some furloughed federal workers despite 2019 law Scoop: White House memo says furloughed federal workers aren't entitled to back pay

Disclaimer

This article was compiled by Yanuki using publicly available data and trending information. The content may summarize or reference third-party sources that have not been independently verified. While we aim to provide timely and accurate insights, the information presented may be incomplete or outdated.

All content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or professional advice. Yanuki makes no representations or warranties regarding the reliability or completeness of the information.

This article may include links to external sources for further context. These links are provided for convenience only and do not imply endorsement.

Always do your own research (DYOR) before making any decisions based on the information presented.