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EXPLAINED: 2 - The Real Truth

‘Using us as political pawns’: federal workers reel over threats of firings and withheld back pay

Employees express growing anxiety over their pay – and the future of their jobs – amid the US government shutdown

The Guardian - US

White House Proposal To Withhold Back Pay From Federal Workers Is More Rhetoric Than Reform

A new White House budget memo frames shutdown furlough pay withholdings as fiscal restraint, but the budgetary impact is minimal—the greater effect may be expanding executive control over the federal bureaucracy.

Reason

Mike Johnson: "Of course" we'd give back pay to federal workers

The White House has made clear that back pay isn't a guarantee.

Axios

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2019 emails boost White House's view that furloughed workers aren't guaranteed back pay

The OMB's interpretation of the law has roiled Congress, outraged labor unions and added a layer of tension to the federal shutdown that began Oct. 1.

Axios

Stopgap fix or separate bill may be needed to unlock shutdown pay - Roll Call

A draft memo from White House budget office arguing there’s no obligation to give back pay to furloughed workers may have some legal merit.

Roll Call

Furloughed Federal Workers Not Guaranteed Back Pay After Government Shutdown, Says White House — Points To 2019 Law Signed By Trump

Furloughed federal workers are not guaranteed compensation for their forced time off during the ongoing shutdown, according to a draft White House memo that reinterprets a 2019 back-pay law, Axios reported, raising new uncertainty for hundreds of thousands of employees.

Benzinga

White House says furloughed federal workers not entitled to back pay amid shutdown

OMB argues an amendment to a 2019 act would not guarantee furloughed workers post-shutdown pay

The Guardian - US

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Trump spares DOGE and Russ Vought’s OMB from shutdown pain as thousands of White House staff are sent home

As about a third of White House staff are furloughed, DOGE and the Office of Management and Budget will keep moving along

The Independent UK

The shutdown's quiet power broker: What to know about Russ Vought

The Trump White House turns to Vought for mastery of the bureaucracy.

Axios

Government shutdown to continue into next week as Senate vote fails to break bitter partisan deadlock: Live updates

The White House threatens mass layoffs as Republicans and Democrats appear nowhere close to a deal

The Independent UK

OMB chief Russell Vought: Federal workers layoffs to begin within a "day or two"

Vought told House Republicans the layoffs will be "consequential."

Axios

The White House Just Defunded a Federal Watchdog

The decision to close two federal watchdog agencies has drawn criticism from a pair of Republican senators.

Reason

Inspector general websites disappear as government shuts down - Roll Call

Some inspector general websites were down across the federal government on the first day of the partial government shutdown Wednesday.

Roll Call

Could This Be the Best Government Shutdown Ever?

Take your opportunities for smaller government where you find them.

Reason

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Roll Call

Unions file lawsuit seeking to halt Trump shutdown layoff plans - Roll Call

Unions filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking to stop Trump administration plans to fire federal employees in a partial government shutdown.

The Mary Sue

Leak report exposes Trump’s next move – proving once again he’s his own worst employee

The White House Budget Office is asking federal agencies to prepare their employees for mass layoffs in anticipation of an upcoming government shutdown. The threat, which is believed to have directly come from President Donald Trump, is in response to Congress’s inability to reach a consensus on the Budget.

The Guardian - US

What does a government shutdown mean and why is this year’s more serious?

The US government has shut down because Congress couldn’t reach a funding agreement. Here’s what to know about what happens next

Roll Call

Shutdown pain may not be evenly spread as OMB readies hatchet - Roll Call

The White House has issued spending guidance that indicates it will likely target Democratic priorities first if the government shuts down.

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We Got This Covered

‘Attempt at intimidation’: Donald Trump is now using government workers as human shields in his latest standoff

Anyone going to defend using innocent people like this?

Roll Call

White House ramps up pressure on Democrats’ shutdown strategy - Roll Call

Sources on both sides of the aisle and nonpartisan analysts agree that top congressional Democrats have a weak hand to play.

The Independent UK

White House warns of mass firings across government if there is a shutdown: report

Employees working in programs ‘not consistent with the President’s priorities’ will be cut if the government shuts down, the memo states

The Guardian - US

White House tells agencies to prepare for firings if government shuts down

Democrats accuse Trump of intimidation tactics after memo outlines much more aggressive step than previous shutdowns

The Independent UK

White House plans permanent job cuts in aggressive shutdown move

Agencies have been told to prepare large-scale firings

The Guardian - US

Protesters demand release of HIV funds ‘illegally’ withheld by Trump

People take to streets against Trump administration plans to rescind funding for life-saving international programs

Roll Call

White House restores spending database it sought to keep secret - Roll Call

The White House has restored a website that shows how spending authority is parceled out to federal agencies throughout the year.

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