1. United States
2. Utah
3. Letter

Subject: Urgent Concern: Protecting Back Pay and Rights for Furloughed Federal Employees Amid Funding Stalemate I am writing as a concerned constituent and federal employee to urge your immediate attention to the protection of back pay rights and financial securityfor federal workers impacted by the current government funding standoff. The ongoing impasse between Republican and Democratic negotiators places dedicated public servants—many of whom are required by law to work without pay—in an untenable position. As you are aware, under the Antideficiency Act (31 U.S.C. §§ 1341, 1342, 1517), agencies are prohibited from obligating funds during a lapse in appropriations. However, Public Law 116-1, the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, guarantees that federal employees furloughed or working without pay during a lapse “shall be compensated for the period of the lapse as soon as appropriations are available.” This protection is critical to maintaining workforce morale, continuity of operations, and public trust in government. Despite these statutory assurances, every funding delay creates severe financial hardship for thousands of families, disrupts essential public services, and undermines the federal mission. Moreover, recurring threats of shutdowns destabilize national operations and erode confidence in public institutions. I respectfully urge you and your colleagues to work swiftly toward a bipartisan resolution that ensures: 1 Timely appropriations to prevent future furloughs and interruptions of service. 2 Enforcement of full back pay protections and benefits for all affected employees. 3 Consideration of legislative safeguards to prevent federal workers from being used as leverage in budget negotiations. The men and women who serve the American people deserve stability and respect. I ask that you prioritize a prompt and fair resolution to this funding impasse to uphold both the rule of law and the integrity of public service.