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OMB Memo Questions Back Pay for Furloughed Workers

10/13/2025

23 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memo saying back pay for furloughed federal employees is not guaranteed, challenging the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019.
Unions and lawmakers are concerned this could reinterpret protections for furloughed workers.
President Donald J. Trump directed $8 billion from Pentagon funds to ensure military pay, amid criticism of the shutdown.

History

Historical Context

The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act, enacted in 2019 following the historic 35-day government shutdown of 2018-2019, guarantees back pay for federal employees affected by shutdowns. However, a recent memo from the White House Office of Management and Budget questions this guarantee, raising concerns among unions and lawmakers about the financial security of approximately 900,000 federal workers during ongoing budget disputes.

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Story summary

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memo saying back pay for furloughed federal employees is not guaranteed, challenging the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019.
Unions and lawmakers are concerned this could reinterpret protections for furloughed workers.
President Donald J. Trump directed $8 billion from Pentagon funds to ensure military pay, amid criticism of the shutdown.

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