Trump Administration Signals Change on Federal Worker Back Pay During Shutdown

Sat Oct 11 2025 03:30:42 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The Trump administration has issued a controversial memo that may deny back pay to 750,000 federal workers affected by the current government shutdown, reversing previous policies.

In a memo circulated by the Office of Management and Budget, the Trump administration warns that there is no guarantee for back pay for federal workers affected by the ongoing government shutdown. This marks a significant policy shift from past practices that ensured reimbursement for furloughed employees. The memo states that repayment is contingent on Congressional action, raising concerns among lawmakers. Democratic Senators have condemned the move as unlawful and a tactic to pressure Democrats into resolving the shutdown, which has now lasted over a week.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has ignited controversy with a memo issued on Tuesday indicating that there is no guaranteed back pay for federal workers during the ongoing government shutdown, marking a departure from established policy for approximately 750,000 furloughed employees.

Previously, under legislation signed into law following the longest government shutdown in 2019, federal workers were assured of back pay during lapses in federal funding. However, the new memo from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) argues that back pay is no longer automatically required and must be included in any legislation to restore government funding.

This latest move is viewed as a strategic leverage against lawmakers, enhancing the pressure on them to find a resolution to the shutdown, which is now entering its seventh day. That should turn up the urgency and necessity of the Democrats doing the right thing here, stated House Speaker Mike Johnson during a press conference.

Johnson acknowledged that some legal experts believe the move could be legally dubious, potentially sidestepping the rights of federal workers under the law.

Senator Patty Murray, a Democrat from Washington, vehemently criticized the memo, calling it a clear violation of federal law. This is another baseless attempt to try and scare and intimidate workers by an administration run by crooks and cowards, she said, emphasizing that federal employees, including furloughed workers, are entitled to back pay following a shutdown.

The refusal to grant retroactive pay could lead to significant legal ramifications, as historically, federal employees subjected to shutdowns have been reimbursed once the government reopened. The memo provides a legal framework suggesting that the 2019 law does not require automatic payments, leaving it up to Congress to determine if back pay will be issued.

The stalemate in Congress persists, with both parties seemingly unwilling to compromise. Democrats advocate for health care provisions to avoid gaps in federal subsidies that could drastically affect insurance rates, while Republicans maintain that these discussions can occur later.

___

This report includes contributions from AP writers Kevin Freking, Joey Cappelletti, and Mary Clare Jalonick.