White House suggests some federal workers may not get back pay after shutdown

The Trump administration is suggesting that federal workers furloughed during the current government shutdown may not receive back pay once funding resumes, contradicting a 2019 law that guaranteed retroactive compensation. A memo from the Office of Management and Budget claims the law only requires payment for essential workers who continued working, not those sent home without pay. This interpretation has sparked significant backlash from Democratic lawmakers who insist it violates the law, while some Republicans have also expressed skepticism about the approach.