The United States government has officially shut down, leaving hundreds of thousands of federal employees without pay or facing potential layoffs. This development comes after the GOP-controlled House passed a bill to extend government funding until November 21, which stalled in the Senate due to disagreements over healthcare subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.
The shutdown has significant implications for federal employees, with those in critical positions required to stay on the job while others are forced to stay home. Both groups will experience delayed paychecks until Congress approves more spending. Furthermore, most federal contractors may not receive payment at all. It is essential to understand how the shutdown affects different groups, including lawmakers, the president, and federal employees.
Impact on Lawmakers and the President
Despite the shutdown, members of Congress will continue to receive their paychecks. This is because their pay is treated under the Constitution and federal law, which states that lawmakers must be paid out of the Treasury of the United States. The 27th Amendment also ensures that any law changing their pay cannot take effect until after the next congressional election. Most members earn a salary of $174,000 per year, with the speaker of the House earning $223,500 and party leaders in both chambers making $193,400.
The president’s salary is also guaranteed, with the Constitution prohibiting any reduction while in office. The president earns $400,000 annually, an amount set by Congress in 2001. However, the president’s aides and staffers are subject to furlough requirements under the Antideficiency Act, meaning those in nonessential positions could be told to stay home until Congress authorizes more funding.
Effects on Federal Employees
Federal employees, whether they remain on the job or are furloughed, will not receive payment during the shutdown. They also face the risk of being permanently laid off if the shutdown persists. According to a memo from the Office of Budget and Management, reduction-in-force notices would be issued in addition to furlough notices. Those who still have jobs will receive back pay once funding is restored to their agency, thanks to a 2019 law making it mandatory. However, contractors are not guaranteed back pay.
The shutdown highlights the apparent hypocrisy of lawmakers continuing to be paid while other federal employees miss out on their checks. Some members of Congress have proposed preventing lawmakers from getting paid during shutdowns, but none have attracted widespread support due to the 27th Amendment’s restrictions. As the situation unfolds, it is crucial to consider the impact on federal employees and the potential long-term consequences of the shutdown.
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