Government Shutdown Enters Second Week Amidst Back Pay Threats and Stalled Negotiations
The federal government shutdown continues into its second week, impacting 750,000 workers. President Trump threatens mass firings and denies back pay amidst congressional deadlock, with quiet talks emerging.
Senate Democrats reject GOP plan to end shutdown a fifth time
Washington Examiner
Shutdown enters second week with no breakthrough in sight
Washington Examiner
Overview
- The federal government shutdown has now entered its second week, continuing to affect approximately 750,000 federal workers who are either furloughed or working without pay.
- President Trump has escalated pressure by threatening to mass fire federal workers and deny them back pay, disputing the 2019 Government Employee Fair Treatment Act's interpretation.
- Public services are impacted, with tours at the Capitol halted, and essential personnel like military and TSA officers working unpaid, while critical nutrition programs face risks.
- Congress remains deadlocked; the House is closed, and the Senate repeatedly fails to pass a House GOP bill to reopen government, stemming from ACA subsidy disputes.
- Despite the ongoing legislative impasse and Republican belief in their political advantage, quiet negotiations are beginning to emerge, offering a glimmer of hope for resolution.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by highlighting the White House's controversial stance on federal worker back pay during the shutdown. They emphasize the administration's search for a "loophole" in existing law, contrasting it with established guidance and a 2019 act. This approach collectively casts the White House's actions as potentially undermining worker protections and creating further uncertainty.
"The federal government’s partial shutdown entered its eighth day on Wednesday, Oct. 8, with no visible signs of a budget deal between Democrats and Republicans yet."
USA TODAY"As the federal government shutdown enters a second week, there's no discernible endgame in sight."
ABC News"As the government shutdown enters a second week, there’s no discernible endgame in sight."
Associated Press"Refusing retroactive pay to the workers, some of whom must remain on the job as essential employees, would be a stark departure from norms and practices and almost certainly would be met with legal action."
Chicago Tribune"Trump's threat to deny furloughed federal workers their pay comes as he's vowed to eliminate "Democrat agencies" from the government, cut programs and pursue mass layoffs of federal workers if the government remains shut down."
USA TODAY"Refusing retroactive pay to the workers, some of whom must remain on the job as essential employees, would be a stark departure from norms and practices, and almost certainly would be met with legal action."
Associated Press"The memo, first reported by Axios, comes despite the Office of Personnel Management's own September guidance, which said federal workers will receive retroactive pay after the shutdown lifts."
NBC News"The partial shutdown of the U.S. federal government hit the one-week mark as the clock struck midnight in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, Oct. 7."
USA TODAY"But many Democrats say a commitment isn’t good enough, and Republicans say they need deeper reforms — leaving the talks, and the U.S. government, at a standstill."
Associated Press"Trump’s comments were one of the few hopeful signs Monday as the government shutdown hit its sixth day."
Chicago Tribune"The Senate on Monday failed for a fifth time to pass spending measures reopening the government."
BBC News"The Senate did not pass dueling bills authored by Republicans and Democrats."
USA TODAY"The federal government is currently shut down, after lawmakers failed to pass a funding bill by 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 1."
NPR"Shutdowns are a repeat feature of US politics - but this one feels particularly bitter due to political dynamics and bad blood between the two parties."
BBC News"The poll found that more Americans blame President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans for the federal government shutdown than congressional Democrats."
USA TODAY"With the two sides at a stalemate — and each side needing several votes from the other party to pass any measure — the government shut down on Oct. 1."
Roll Call"Both sides continued over the weekend blaming the other for the shutdown and lack of compromise."
ABC News"The partial federal government shutdown is now into its sixth day, and although the Senate is scheduled to vote on the stopgap funding bill for a fifth time on Monday, Oct. 6, it still lacks the 60 votes needed to advance."
USA TODAY"With the shutdown soon to enter its second week, attention returns to the Senate on Oct. 6."
USA TODAY"The stalemate comes at a moment of troubling economic uncertainty."
ABC News"The stalemate comes at a moment of troubling economic uncertainty."
Associated Press"The U.S. government shutdown entered its sixth day Monday with no end in sight after another round of blame games and sniping between leaders of the two parties on the Sunday talk shows."
NBC News"The Senate returns Monday with no signs of progress toward ending the partial government shutdown that began on Oct. 1, with President Donald Trump blaming potential layoffs on Democrats."
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FAQ
Not all federal workers are furloughed. Some essential employees, such as those in the military, TSA, and certain agencies, are still required to work without pay. Non-essential employees are furloughed and cannot work or receive pay during the shutdown.
President Trump disputes the interpretation of the 2019 Government Employee Fair Treatment Act, which guaranteed back pay for furloughed workers during previous shutdowns. He believes that threatening mass firings and withholding back pay could force Congress to act, despite the bipartisan precedent for back pay.
Critical public services are disrupted: tours at the Capitol are cancelled, and essential workers, including military and TSA officers, are working unpaid. Nutrition assistance programs are at risk of running out of funding, potentially affecting vulnerable populations.
Congress remains deadlocked, with the Senate repeatedly failing to pass bills to reopen the government due to disputes over ACA subsidies. However, private negotiations have quietly begun, suggesting a possible avenue for compromise, though no resolution is imminent.
A prolonged shutdown could lead to increased absenteeism as unpaid workers seek alternative employment, further eroding public services. Previous shutdowns disrupted agency operations, delayed federal contracts, and had a measurable impact on economic growth, particularly if critical services and benefits are interrupted for extended periods.
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