The ongoing federal government shutdown, now entering its second week, poses significant challenges for thousands of furloughed federal employees, who may not receive due back pay as previously guaranteed by the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019. A recent memo from the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) suggests that back pay is not automatically obligatory, leading to bipartisan criticism from lawmakers who stress the need for explicit congressional funding authorization. Legal scholars argue that the OMB’s interpretation deviates from the original intent of the law. As discussions continue, the memo has raised concerns about executive control over government employment. Some fear this move could be part of a broader strategy to diminish the federal workforce without congressional approval. Overall, the situation highlights ongoing tensions regarding federal pay structures and the implications of budgetary decisions amid a government shutdown, underscoring the need for clear legislative action.
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