1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

Do not deny back pay to federal workers that they are earning during the shutdown and is their right. The Office of Management and Budget is attempting to claim that back pay isn’t guaranteed after a shutdown. Under this view, the administration could decide who gets paid and who doesn’t. Never mind the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 (GEFTA) that says no federal employee would lose pay because of political standoffs they have no control over. Congress must: • Reaffirm that the law still guarantees full back pay to all furloughed and excepted employees. • Add clear language to any funding bill to remove all doubt. • Demand public hearings to ensure that there is no political interference in workers’ pay. These are not faceless bureaucrats — they are air traffic controllers, VA nurses, and law enforcement officers. They upheld their oath and did their jobs. Congress must uphold the law and make sure they’re paid what they are owed.