Congress has already passed, and Trump has signed legislation guaranteeing back pay for all affected federal workers. Contractors who are paid by private companies to work for the government are not promised back pay because they aren't federal employees.
One union president had only one message for the president:
\"Get the checks out now,\" said Tony Reardon, head of the National Treasury Employees Union. \"Federal employees haven’t been paid in more than a month and mortgage and rent are due next week. They shouldn’t have to wait a minute longer.”
A senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters Friday that steps were being taken to ensure employees received the pay as soon as possible. But, the official noted, the precise timing of the next paychecks will likely vary somewhat.
\"Since specific payroll issues vary by agency, employees can find more information about paycheck details by reaching out to their agency,\" the official said.
The Office of Management and Budget planned to issue a memo officially reopening the shuttered departments.
After that, the agencies were expected to reach out to employees and contractors on \"restarting activities and addressing other impacts of the lapse,\" OMB stated.
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