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We’re entering the second week of the government shutdown, and federal workers’ pay appears to be at risk.

A new memo from the Office of Management and Budget, first reported by Axios, says that federal workers might not receive back pay for days they have been furloughed, a practice established in the Guaranteed Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 during the last shutdown that took place during President Donald Trump’s first term.

The White House argues that in order for the workers to get paid, Congress must designate funds specifically for that purpose, an interpretation contested by many. Senator Patty Murray, D-Wash., called it “another baseless attempt to try and scare” federal workers.

This comes on the heels of threats of mass firings from the White House last week. Since then, unions representing federal workers have asked a federal judge to block any mass firings during the shutdown in an emergency filing.

In more shutdown news, hundreds of TSA agents are calling in sick as they enter their second week of work without pay. Considered “essential workers,” TSA agents are continuing to work but won’t receive on-time paychecks. They are scheduled to receive a partial paycheck on Friday, and if the shutdown continues, the first missed check would come on October 24.

Happy reading, and we hope you have a lovely week!

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