A draft memo from the White House suggests that furloughed federal employees might not receive pay for the days they didn’t work during the recent government shutdown. An official shared this news with CNN, sparking debate and concern among government workers and lawmakers.
This memo introduces a new interpretation of the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act (GEFTA). Traditionally, GEFTA ensured that furloughed workers would get back pay after a shutdown. However, the memo claims that the law has been misinterpreted or is “deficient.” This shift could lead to significant pushback from Congress and public sector employees.
GEFTA was signed into law by President Trump in 2019, during a shutdown that lasted 35 days. Before GEFTA, there was no guarantee of pay for federal workers after a shutdown ended, creating uncertainty and anxiety for many.
Recent estimates indicate that around 750,000 federal workers could be furloughed this time. According to the Congressional Budget Office, many employees will feel the financial pinch soon, as their paychecks will be smaller this month. This cut will likely be their last paycheck until the funding issue is resolved.
Interestingly, this memo clashes with Trump’s recent comments. While visiting a naval base, he assured service members that they would receive all owed pay, even during the shutdown. He emphasized that “every last penny” would be given to them soon. Meanwhile, he also proposed pay raises for military personnel.
The American Federation of Government Employees criticized the memo, pointing out that it goes against guidance from the White House Office of Personnel Management. Their September guidance assured that furloughed workers would receive retroactive pay as soon as possible once the funding lapse ended.
This situation is reminiscent of past government shutdowns, where funding disputes led to uncertainty for workers. In the previous shutdowns, federal employees often faced financial strains before Congress made arrangements to approve back pay.
As more people react to this draft memo on social media, it’s clear this topic resonates with many. Some are voicing their concerns and sharing their experiences, emphasizing the stress that financial instability brings to families.
In sum, the potential change in how furloughed federal workers are compensated during shutdowns is drawing attention and criticism. As discussions continue, it remains to be seen how this will affect thousands of workers across the country.
