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Trump, Donald

Trump Suggests Furloughed Federal Workers May Not Receive Back Pay

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the federal government's shutdown enters its second week, President Donald Trump has suggested that furloughed federal workers may not receive back pay. This statement contradicts recent guidance from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Council of Economic Advisers, which affirm that the roughly 750,000 furloughed federal workers are entitled to back pay when the federal government reopens, in accordance with the Government Employees Fair Treatment Act of 2019. The White House's interpretation of the act, however, suggests that back pay will only be granted when Congress appropriates funds for it.

Key Takeaways:

  • The White House has drafted a memo suggesting that some furloughed federal workers may not automatically receive back pay when the government shutdown ends.
  • The memo, drafted by personnel in the Office of Management and Budget, contradicts recent guidance from the OPM and the Council of Economic Advisers.
  • The OPM and the Council of Economic Advisers affirm that furloughed workers are entitled to back pay when the government reopens, in accordance with the Government Employees Fair Treatment Act of 2019.
  • The Trump administration is basing its interpretation on a revised version of the act that says furloughed workers will be paid "subject to the enactment of appropriations acts ending the lapse."
  • White House officials have suggested that Congress needs to appropriate back pay for furloughed workers, while federal employees who have continued to work while their pay is suspended would receive pay right away.
  • The federal government partially shut down on October 1 after the Senate failed to muster enough support for a continuing resolution to fund the government.
  • Senate Democrats have introduced an alternative measure that would fund the government through October 31 and add $1.5 trillion in additional spending for health care initiatives.

Statistics:

  • 7: The number of weeks the expired 2025 fiscal year budget continues to fund the federal government if the House of Representatives' continuing resolution is passed.
  • 1.5 trillion: The additional spending for health care initiatives proposed by Senate Democrats' alternative measure.
  • 60: The number of Senators required to approve the alternative measure to prevent a potential filibuster.
  • 750,000: The estimated number of furloughed federal workers affected by the government shutdown.
  • October 1: The date on which the federal government partially shut down.

Sources:

  • USA Today: Quoted President Trump's statement on the possibility of not paying furloughed federal workers.
  • The New York Times: Reported on the White House draft memo suggesting furloughed workers may not automatically receive back pay.
  • Axios: Provided guidance from the OPM and the Council of Economic Advisers on furloughed workers' entitlement to back pay, and reported on the White House's interpretation of the Government Employees Fair Treatment Act of 2019.
  • Government Executive: Reported on the OMB's deletion of references to the Government Employees Fair Treatment Act of 2019 and its replacement with text suggesting furloughed workers may not be paid right away.
  • Axios: Provided the revised version of the Government Employees Fair Treatment Act of 2019 that suggests furloughed workers will be paid "subject to the enactment of appropriations acts ending the lapse."

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