It's unclear how long the shutdown will last, with the parties nowhere near an agreement. Democrats want health care money, while Republicans insist they won't be held "hostage.”

The U.S. government officially shut down after Congress and the White House failed to reach an agreement on how to extend federal funding.

Donald Trump’s Republican Party controls both chambers of Congress, but it needs Democratic support to pass a bill in the Senate, where 60 votes are required. And the two parties failed to craft a bipartisan bill, with the Senate rejecting both a GOP proposal and a Democratic proposal just hours before the shutdown deadline.

It’s the first government shutdown since 2018, in Trump’s first term, which was the longest ever at 34 days, lasting into early 2019. There is no clear path to a resolution, with the two sides fundamentally at odds over how to resolve the impasse.

  • someguy3@lemmy.world
    5·
    3 days ago

    Who is Covered by Back Pay Provisions

    The legal guarantee for back pay extends to nearly all federal employees affected by a funding lapse, covering two categories of workers. The first group consists of “furloughed” employees, whose jobs are not considered immediately necessary for the protection of life and property. They are sent home without pay and are legally prohibited from performing any work-related duties, including checking email.

    The second group includes “excepted” employees who perform jobs deemed essential, such as air traffic control or law enforcement. These individuals are required to report to work without pay during a shutdown. GEFTA also allows these employees to use their paid leave during the shutdown period if approved.

    Who is Not Covered by Back Pay Provisions

    While the law protects federal employees, it does not extend to all individuals who work for the government. The primary group excluded from automatic back pay is independent contractors. These workers, who provide services ranging from janitorial support to specialized consulting, are not on the federal payroll.

    Good to know.