Washington, October 8 (Udaipur Kiran): The ongoing US government shutdown has triggered uncertainty over salaries of thousands of furloughed federal employees. The White House has hinted that those sent on unpaid leave may not receive their pending wages, raising concerns among nearly 7.5 lakh affected staff members.
According to reports, the White House has indicated a refusal to release back pay to furloughed employees. Union leaders and Democratic lawmakers have objected to the move, saying it contradicts the law passed during former President Donald Trump’s first term, which guaranteed back pay after shutdowns.
In the Oval Office on Tuesday, President Trump remarked that while the administration is concerned for everyone, some people are “not worth taking care of.” Following these comments, political debate intensified. Senior officials from the White House and the Office of Management and Budget have acknowledged the issue but refrained from making public statements.
Trump blamed Democrats for creating risk and uncertainty for many. Notably, during his first term, Trump signed an executive order after a 35-day shutdown, assuring back pay for affected workers. The current stance, however, has left many employees uncertain about receiving their dues.
House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that he supported the 2019 law guaranteeing back pay and expects the issue to be debated soon. Some legal experts believe the government should not deny back pay, while Democrats have been urged to take a firm stand on the matter.
Meanwhile, the White House has also suspended energy and infrastructure funding for states like California, New York, and New Jersey — which voted against Trump in the 2024 election. Vice President JD Vance said Democrats would be responsible for any job losses resulting from the shutdown.
A CNBC report suggested that even after returning to work, some federal employees may not be compensated for the unpaid period. A draft memo from the White House stated that back pay is not guaranteed and would require specific congressional funding approval.
When asked about the overdue wages, Trump said, “It depends on who we’re talking about.”
The shutdown has also affected flight operations. Due to staffing shortages, the Federal Aviation Administration temporarily halted flights to Nashville International Airport on Tuesday night. Bad weather, including thunderstorms and strong winds, further delayed over 240 flights.
Employee unions have criticised the administration for going back on its promise. The Office of Personnel Management had earlier stated in its shutdown guidelines that furloughed workers would receive back pay once operations resumed.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.