The federal government began a shutdown on Wednesday morning, and many employees are now working without pay until funding is restored.
While TSA agents, air traffic controllers, and various essential workers, including those handling social security, remain on the job, others find themselves caught in complications. Essentially, some employees may not receive paychecks, depending on how this shutdown plays out.
Hundreds of thousands of federal employees could be left in limbo. However, there are provisions like the 2019 Law to address these issues.
It’s important to note that members of Congress will continue to receive their salaries during this shutdown. Meanwhile, Postal workers remain unaffected as the USPS operates independently and is self-funded.
Now, for federal contractors—things are less clear. Unlike federal employees, contractors don’t have the same guarantees regarding pay.
Will Furloughed Federal Workers Receive Pay?
Yes, eventually. The Civil Service Fair Treatment Act stipulates that all federal employees should receive back pay once operations resume.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that around 750,000 employees could be affected by the shutdown, potentially costing approximately $400 million per day. This figure can fluctuate based on each agency’s choices regarding who to furlough and for how long.
Take the Social Security Administration (SSA), for instance. They predict they’ll have to lay off about 6,197 out of 51,825 employees, which is roughly 12%. The Transportation Department (DOT) plans to furlough about 23% of its workforce, or 12,213 out of 53,717 total employees.
Those who remain on duty during the shutdown will also receive back pay, similar to service members experiencing delayed payments.
The law specifies that employees must be compensated “as soon as possible” after the shutdown ends, irrespective of their regular payment schedules.
Depending on how long this shutdown lasts, both furloughed and active employees might miss one or more paychecks.
Historically speaking, there have been ten funding gaps since 1981 that mostly lasted for just a few days, impacting government functions minimally. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget notes that shutdowns can sometimes extend significantly, as was the case in President Trump’s first term with a shutdown lasting 35 days.
In 2013, there was another shutdown lasting 16 days, which cost about $2.5 billion in wages and benefits, affecting various workers who were not able to work.
Will Congress Be Paid During the Shutdown?
Yes, Congress members continue to receive their salaries during the shutdown. This is because their compensation is deemed essential and mandated by the Constitution.
According to Article 1, Section 6, Congress members “shall receive compensation for their services determined by law and paid by the US Treasury.”
Since 1983, their salaries have been sourced from permanent expenditure accounts, which means they aren’t reliant on annual funding allocations. The Congressional Research Service provides that most senators and representatives earn $174,000 annually, while other leaders like the House Speaker earn more.
Although Trump, as president, continues to receive his paycheck during the shutdown, he previously mentioned he would donate his salary during this period.
Interestingly, some lawmakers from both parties are advocating for a freeze on their salaries during the shutdown. For example, Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FLA) stated in a letter, “If our troops are not paid, then we shouldn’t be either.” Senator Andy Kim (D-N.J.) echoed this sentiment by saying he would refuse his salary, arguing, “Government leaders should not play with other people’s paychecks.”
Federal Contractors Are Not Guaranteed Pay
Unlike federal employees, federal contractors lack guarantees regarding their pay. Historically, it’s noted that “federal contractors have often not been compensated,” as per the CRFB’s recent report. Contractors generally incorporate this uncertainty into their bids for work.
However, real outcomes can differ; some private employers might continue their payments to workers, though this varies widely. Politifact clarifies that no federal law mandates contractors to pay employees during shutdowns.
Jim Malatras, Chief Strategy Officer at FEDCAP Group, mentioned that they will keep paying their workers “as long as we have the funds to do so,” especially since they manage federal and administrative contracts that assist people with disabilities.
It can be challenging to ascertain the exact number of contractors, but estimates suggest they now outweigh federal employees by more than two to one. As of March 31, 2025, there were about 2.3 million federal civilian employees, not accounting for postal workers, military personnel, or employees across various intelligence agencies. When looking at the five largest US defense contractors, they together employ nearly 690,000 individuals, underscoring the many contract workers who might face hardships if the shutdown prolongs.
