The Trump administration is intensifying the impact of an ongoing government shutdown, which is now on its eighth day, showing no immediate signs of resolution. Recently, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) unveiled a plan that, according to reports, does not promise back pay for federal employees who are currently furloughed. This marks a shift from a 2019 law enacted to secure back pay following a previous 35-day shutdown.
With uncertainty looming over employee compensation, it seems less likely that Congress will secure funding, putting pressure on Democrats. President Trump has attributed responsibility for the crisis to the Democrats, maintaining that they are the ones at fault.
During a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trump reiterated, “This is like a kamikaze attack. They have nothing to lose,” he stated, drawing a controversial parallel to historical events. When asked about whether furloughed workers would be compensated, he responded ambiguously, saying, “It depends on who you’re talking about.” He acknowledged that while some people may not deserve to be taken care of, “for the most part, we’re going to take care of our employees.”
This uncertainty regarding back pay, first highlighted by Axios, reflects broader cuts within the federal government, as OMB previously directed agencies to prepare for troop reductions linked to the shutdown. Traditionally, furloughed employees return to work once a shutdown is resolved, but things seem different this time.
Trump warned that permanent layoffs may be on the horizon, suggesting that “many of these jobs will never come back.” He indicated plans to repeal various policies, stating, “There are a lot of things we’re repealing and planning to repeal forever.”
The current partial shutdown started on October 1 amid disagreements in Congress over a short-term funding bill intended to keep the government operational until November 21. Although the House passed a spending bill in September, it failed to reach the 60 votes necessary in the Senate.
Trump and Republican leaders accuse Democrats of attempting to expand healthcare access to illegal immigrants by undermining Trump’s earlier tax and domestic policy bill. Democrats, on the other hand, argue that they want to perpetuate some Affordable Care Act subsidies, set to expire soon.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has criticized Republicans for their approach during this crisis and urged immediate action. “It’s past time to get done with it,” he remarked. The White House responded with a statement emphasizing the ramifications of shutdowns on military personnel, business owners, and families facing flight delays, attributing responsibility to the Democrats for the extreme conditions leading to the current impasse.
The Senate is expected to vote on the temporary spending bill again soon.
