It really depends (on) who you’re talking about, but for the most part, we’re gonna take care of our people,” said President Trump, when asked about back pay for furloughed federal employees.
“President Trump is going back on a law that he signed into law,” said U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada)
To pay… Or not to pay?
As the government shutdown crosses the one-week mark, debate surrounding back pay for furloughed federal employees sparks in Washington.
It started with President Trump’s comments on Tuesday, coupled with a draft memo from the White House, stating the federal government doesn’t owe furloughed employees back pay after a shutdown.
“There are some people that really don’t deserve to be taken care of, and we’ll take care of them in a different way,” President Trump said.
The memo would contradict the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, a law signed into effect during President Trump’s first term, which guarantees back pay for federal workers.
On Wednesday, Senator Rosen called out the president for his comments.
“I think he’s going back on what he signed into law, and again, he cannot just change the law. Laws are not suggestions… in this country, we follow the law,” said Senator Rosen.
Over 22,000 federal employees work here in the Silver State, with roughly 4,000 residing in Washoe County.
Information regarding next steps for any furloughed employees is available on the state’s Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation website.
It says if you’re temporarily not working, you may apply for unemployment benefits, and if your hours are reduced, you may also qualify for partial benefits.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said on Tuesday he assumes those payments will go through once the shutdown ends.
“My assumption is that furloughed workers will get back pay. That being said, this is very simple, open up the government, and this is a non-issue,” Senator Thune said.