President Donald Trump addressed the ongoing government shutdown during a meeting in the Oval Office with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. In his remarks, Trump suggested that some furloughed federal workers may not receive back pay once they return to work, a statement that appears to contradict existing guidance from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, which had indicated that furloughed employees would be compensated retroactively once the shutdown concludes.
The controversy stems from a draft memo that circulated earlier, asserting that back pay for furloughed employees is not guaranteed, and that Congress would need to specifically allocate funds for it. This position has been met with criticism, particularly from the American Federation of Government Employees, which argues that the memo misinterprets federal law regarding employee compensation during shutdowns.
During the Oval Office meeting, Trump attributed the blame for the shutdown to Democrats and stated that the situation has placed many individuals at risk. He emphasized that decisions regarding back pay would be contingent on the specific workers involved, implying that some may not merit compensation. Responding to inquiries about the potential for permanent job losses, Trump predicted that significant layoffs could occur if the shutdown persists, which he associated with efforts to achieve a balanced budget.
Democrats, who are pushing for a funding resolution that includes an extension of enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act, have dismissed the administration's warnings about layoffs as politically motivated. As the impasse continues, the administration faces pressure to reach a resolution, with the shutdown now in its seventh day.