Federal workers who were furloughed during the recent government shutdown are set to receive their back pay early next week, according to White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett. This announcement comes after President Donald Trump signed a short-term funding bill that reopened the government following a 43-day closure.
Hassett emphasized the administration's commitment to expediting these payments. He noted that the back pay will be issued in a timely manner, adhering to federal law, which mandates that furloughed employees must be compensated for the duration of their absence at their standard pay rate. The issuance of these payments will vary based on the specific federal agencies where employees are employed.
Reports indicate that "superchecks" for pay covering the period from October 1 to November 1 will begin to be distributed starting Saturday for employees at the General Services Administration and the Office of Personnel Management. Payments for staff in other departments, including Energy, Health and Human Services, and Defense, are scheduled to follow on Sunday and Monday, respectively.
Additionally, Senate staff will receive their missed paychecks on Friday, with House staff expected to receive theirs by Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on their bank's processing capabilities. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also confirmed that air traffic controllers will receive a portion of their back pay this week, with the rest to follow shortly after.
Hassett expressed satisfaction at seeing furloughed employees returning to work, noting the positive atmosphere among them. As federal workers resume their duties, the White House continues to encourage agencies to ensure the accurate and prompt distribution of back pay.