White House Questions Back Pay for 750,000 Furloughed Federal Workers Amid Shutdown

A draft memo from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under President Trump suggests that furloughed federal workers during the government shutdown may not be entitled to backpay, challenging the established interpretation of the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act (GEFTA) of 2019. The memo argues that backpay is "subject to the enactment of appropriations Acts ending the lapse," implying that Congress must specifically appropriate funds for retroactive salaries, which contrasts with prior guidance from the Office of Personnel Management assuring workers would receive backpay after the shutdown ends. This new interpretation has sparked criticism from Democrats and labor unions, who maintain that the law guarantees backpay to furloughed employees, with some calling the administration's position a violation of the law. The Trump administration appears to be using this stance as leverage against Democrats, blaming them for the shutdown and potential denial of backpay to as many as 750,000 federal workers. Essential federal employees required to work without pay during the shutdown are not affected by this reinterpretation and will continue to receive backpay. The controversy adds to the uncertainty faced by government workers as the shutdown persists, with President Trump also warning of possible layoffs if the impasse continues.