White House May Try to Deny Back Pay to Furloughed Federal Workers

The White House is considering a move that could potentially deny back pay to hundreds of thousands of federal workers who were furloughed during the recent government shutdown. Union leaders and Democratic lawmakers are sounding the alarm, warning that such a decision would not only be unfair but also likely illegal.According to sources, the Trump administration is exploring ways to avoid paying back wages to furloughed employees, a standard practice in previous shutdowns. However, lawmakers and union leaders argue that a law passed in 2018, during President Trump's first term, guarantees back pay to federal workers affected by a shutdown.The law, known as the Government Employee Fairness Act, was signed into effect by President Trump in December 2018. It ensures that federal employees who are furloughed or required to work without pay during a shutdown receive their back pay once the government reopens.Union leaders and Democratic lawmakers are urging the White House to reconsider its plans, citing the 2018 law as a clear precedent. "It's simple: federal workers were told to stay home or work without pay, and now they deserve to be compensated," said a spokesperson for the American Federation of Government Employees.Democratic lawmakers are also weighing in on the issue, with several members of Congress expressing outrage over the potential move. "Denying back pay to furloughed workers would be a cruel and unfair blow to those who have been impacted by this administration's reckless shutdown," said Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD).The potential move by the White House has sparked concerns about the impact on federal workers, many of whom are still struggling to make ends meet. "These workers are not just statistics; they're real people with bills to pay and families to support," said a union leader.As the debate continues, one thing is clear: any attempt by the White House to deny back pay to furloughed federal workers will face fierce resistance from lawmakers and union leaders. The issue is likely to end up in court, where a judge will have to decide whether the administration's actions are lawful. For now, hundreds of thousands of federal workers are waiting anxiously to see if they will receive the back pay they are owed.