OMB deletes reference to law guaranteeing backpay to furloughed feds from shutdown guidance

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Russ Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, speaking at the National Conservative Convention on Sept. 3, 2025 in Washington, D.C. DOMINIC GWINN/MIDDLE EAST IMAGES/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

Pay & Benefits
OMB deletes reference to law guaranteeing backpay to furloughed feds from shutdown guidance

An Office of Management and Budget FAQ document now states that only excepted employees forced to work without pay are guaranteed backpay at the conclusion of a lapse in appropriations.

ERICH WAGNER and ERIC KATZ | OCTOBER 7, 2025 09:16 AM ET

Updated Oct. 7 at 10:20 a.m.

The Office of Management and Budget on Friday quietly revised a shutdown guidance document to remove references to a law passed in 2019 to guarantee that all federal workers are provided backpay at the conclusion of a lapse in appropriations.

Prior to Oct. 3, OMB’s Frequently Asked Questions During a Lapse in Appropriations document highlighted the Government Employees Fair Treatment Act, the law enacted in 2019 as part of the deal to end the 35-day partial government shutdown during President Trump’s first term to ensure both furloughed and excepted federal workers receive backpay once government funding has been restored. Prior to the law’s passage, Congress had to OK furloughed workers’ backpay following each individual lapse in appropriations.

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[Klarkashton]

1. This shit smells like another cynical country club

Game tactic being pushed by some really nasty assholes.

[yellow dahlia]

2. Evil is as evil does.