Congress failed to pass the federal budget for 2026 and subsequently shut the government down. Now, eight days later, congress is still at an impasse while some employees face the possibility of losing their paychecks.
Essential employees are still expected to report to work but will not receive their paychecks until after the shutdown. Law enforcement, including TSA agents, are deemed “essential” and will continue to work but will not be paid until a budget is approved for the next fiscal year.
Furloughed employees face a different risk as President Donald Trump said he will pick which employees receive back pay. A 2019 law guarantees all furloughed employees to be compensated for the time the government was shut down. At the time, the bill received nearly unanimous support.
“Federal employees should know that these threats are hollow and they will be paid when this shutdown ends, as the law requires,” said U.S. Rep. Don Beyer from Virginia. “Federal employees are guaranteed back pay at the end of any shutdown by law without question or exception.”
While contract employees are not entitled to back pay like federal employees, the claim is putting pressure on Democrats to negotiate quickly. Contract employees will lose pay for every day they do not work until the budget is approved.
Although Republicans control the U.S. House and Senate, to pass the budget, Congress needs bipartisan support. Arguments over the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP, and healthcare are holding the bill back from passing.
The last government shutdown lasted 35 days back in 2019.
Author: Hannah Clove
Photo courtesy of J. Scott Applewhite, AP News
Editor: Kayd Johanson
news@suunews.net
