Story perspectives

Congress Gets Paid, Janitors Left in the Lurch

10/2/2025

Summary

Story summary

Dan Koh, a podcast host, claimed that Congress members are paid during a government shutdown while janitors are not.
Federal law ensures Congress members continue to receive salaries during a shutdown.
Contractors, including janitors, may not be guaranteed pay.
Labor experts note that contractors often do not receive back pay during shutdowns, leaving janitors without income.
FEMA funding is uncertain during the shutdown, though 84% of its employees will still work; the WIC program may continue for at least a week depending on state funds; enhanced ACA subsidies are at risk.

History

Historical Context

The 2013 U.S. government shutdown, lasting 17 days, resulted in approximately 800,000 federal employees being furloughed while Congress members continued to receive their salaries. This disparity highlighted ongoing inequities faced by low-wage workers, as many federal contractors, including essential service providers, went unpaid. The situation sparked discussions about fair compensation and the treatment of essential workers during funding crises.

1 of 2

Story summary

Dan Koh, a podcast host, claimed that Congress members are paid during a government shutdown while janitors are not.
Federal law ensures Congress members continue to receive salaries during a shutdown.
Contractors, including janitors, may not be guaranteed pay.
Labor experts note that contractors often do not receive back pay during shutdowns, leaving janitors without income.
FEMA funding is uncertain during the shutdown, though 84% of its employees will still work; the WIC program may continue for at least a week depending on state funds; enhanced ACA subsidies are at risk.

1 / 2