White House Takes Hardline Position Amid Shutdown
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A memo from the Trump administration suggests furloughed federal employees may not receive retroactive pay once the current government shutdown ends, marking a significant policy shift that intensifies pressure on Senate Democrats.
President Donald Trump addressed the issue during remarks Tuesday in the Oval Office, saying while the administration supports workers, some “don’t deserve to be taken care of.” He did not specify which employees he was referencing.
The memo, first reported by Axios and confirmed by officials within the White House and Office of Management and Budget (OMB), challenges the enforcement of the 2019 Government Employee Fair Treatment Act — legislation signed by Trump himself — which guarantees back pay for federal employees following any lapse in government funding.
Legal Questions and Political Tensions Rise
House Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged the controversy, stating, “I hope that the furloughed workers receive back pay,” but added that legal experts have questioned whether the government is obligated to do so under current circumstances.
The administration’s stance has drawn immediate criticism from Democratic lawmakers, especially as Senate Democrats seek an extension of Obamacare subsidies as part of the ongoing funding debate. The White House, in turn, is using potential federal job cuts as leverage to push through a “clean” Republican-backed continuing resolution.
Vice President JD Vance and others have claimed Democrats are to blame for any economic fallout, while President Trump has framed the moment as an “unprecedented opportunity” to reduce the size of the federal workforce and target what he calls “Democrat agencies.”
Contradictions With Existing Law and Agency Guidance
Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), argue the memo directly conflicts with the letter of the 2019 law and guidance issued in September by the Office of Personnel Management. That guidance told employees that furloughed periods would be reimbursed once the government reopens.
The Department of the Interior signaled compliance with the existing law, noting that back pay would be processed “in accordance with applicable laws and funding availability” once Congress resolves the budget impasse.
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) pointed out the contradiction, stating that Trump “is suggesting breaking his own word” and punishing federal employees. Other Virginia Democrats accused the administration of manufacturing authority to withhold pay and using shutdown threats as a political weapon.
Broader Impact and Financial Ramifications
The shutdown affects roughly 750,000 federal workers. A previous internal memo estimated a weekly loss of $15 billion in gross domestic product if the shutdown continues.
Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD), backing the administration’s position, said, “At a time when we are $37 billion in debt, Senate Democrats don’t feel many of these jobs are important enough to want to pay them to do it.”
As budget talks continue, legal experts warn that if the administration moves forward without honoring back pay guarantees, lawsuits could quickly follow.
Related Coverage
- National News – https://idahonews.co/national-news/
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