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White House Memo Reveals Federal Workers May Not Be Paid After Shutdown

October 7, 2025

The Office of Management and Budget has released a controversial memo claiming furloughed federal workers may not automatically receive back pay when the government shutdown ends, despite the 2019 Government Employee Fair Treatment Act. Budget office lawyer Mark Paoletta argues that Congress must pass new legislation to authorize these payments, while President Trump suggested some workers may not deserve compensation. The administration's position contradicts its own Office of Personnel Management, which had previously assured retroactive pay for furloughed employees.

Who is affected

  • Federal workers forced into furlough during the shutdown
  • Families of federal workers
  • More than 49,000 District residents (13% of residents) who are federally employed
  • Workers who will receive smaller or final paychecks this week

What action is being taken

  • The Office of Management and Budget is challenging the automatic guarantee of back pay for furloughed workers
  • The administration is arguing that Congress must pass new legislation to authorize back payments
  • Sen. Patty Murray is opposing the memo, calling it a "baseless attempt to try and scare and intimidate workers"
  • The American Federation of Government Employees is advocating for workers, stating their livelihoods are not political bargaining chips

Why it matters

  • Workers may not receive their expected compensation after the shutdown ends
  • The administration's position directly contradicts the apparent intent of the 2019 Government Employee Fair Treatment Act
  • The memo contradicts statements from the Office of Personnel Management, creating confusion about government policy
  • Millions of federal workers and their families face financial uncertainty while the shutdown continues
  • The dispute represents a potential change in how federal workers are treated during government shutdowns

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer