Project 2025 architect's OMB reneging on promise of backpay for furloughed federal workers?

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Sam Stein @samstein
The OMB memo that @MarcACaputo scoops here saying furloughed workers aren't necessarily allowed backpay seems to be in direct contradiction to the OPM shutdown guidance the administration issued LAST MONTH

https://www.axios.com/2025/10/07/trump-memo-furloughed-federal-workers-backpay

Sam Stein @samstein 8m
The White House Council of Economy Advisers THIS MONTH put out a memo saying federal workers (though not contractors) were "entitled" to backpay


https://t.co/psK9U4xHLP


here is the full OPM guidance: https://t.co/8i5qQHzIit

[Phoenix61]

1. Depends on the contract.

I was a contract worker with the Air Force during a shut down and I went to work, did nothing but I was there, and I got paid.

[Arazi]

2. lol, countdown to air traffic controllers having a mass sickout in 3..2..1..

Iirc, it was TSA agents walking off the job that pushed the shutdown to end.

ATC walking off could end this today if they decide they’ve had enough of this working-for-free bullshit, especially if they’re now threatened with zero restoration of backpay.

Their stress level is insane and getting days off is crazy difficult. I presume a lot of them will just decide today’s a good day for some golf (or a nap or a visit to a friend etc)

[NutmegYankee]

4. This is about furloughed federal employees, not contractors.

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5. scare tactic?

“Another baseless attempt to try and scare & intimidate workers by an administration run by crooks and cowards," said Murray, who is the ranking lawmaker on the Senate Appropriations Committee. “The letter of the law is as plain as can be — federal workers, including furloughed workers, are entitled to their backpay following a shutdown.”

https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2025-10-07/trump-administration-threatens-no-back-pay-for-federal-workers-in-shutdown


Trump is using the threat of federal workforce cuts to force them to back the GOP’s clean continuing resolution.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/07/white-house-furloughed-workers-00596231

[SickOfTheOnePct]

6. Unless they change the 2019 law...

...federal employees have to be paid backpay after a furlough. Federal contractors, on the other hand, won't work unless they're being paid. At my former agency, most of the contracts are already funded through Feb or Mar, so they're working. The ones who aren't working, and won't get back pay, are the janitorial and cafeteria contractors...and of course, they're the ones who are least able to afford not being paid.