Politics
As government shutdown approaches, agencies to tell workers that furloughs are coming
Government agencies will begin warning their workers Thursday morning that they are preparing for a government shutdown -- and that they might have to go without pay.
Lawmakers have until the end of the day Sept. 30 to reach a deal to fund the federal government. If Congress doesn't act, the government will shut down at 12:01 a.m. ET on Sunday -- a situation that appears increasingly likely.
On Wednesday, the Office of Management and Budget gave the agencies the official heads up of a looming shutdown, according to two officials.
MORE: Which federal programs would be impacted first in a government shutdown
The procedural moves came as the union for the United States Capitol Police warned its members that it believes the shutdown could last two to four weeks.
The union note tells personnel to await an email and mailed letter advising them of their work status.
The Capitol Police, which protect members of Congress, as well as other law enforcement agencies are considered "excepted" services and would still report to work during a shutdown. They would receive back pay once the spending deal is passed. Other federal employees are furloughed and sent home without pay.
All federal workers would receive back pay once the spending deal is passed, although union officials say it's not a good solution. In the last shutdown in 2018, many essential employees called in sick because they struggled to pay for child care, gas and other expenses to come to work.
Officials tell ABC News that all federal agencies will begin notifying employees in the coming days whether they are selected to be furloughed or "excepted" and required to report to work without pay.
MORE: Military families brace for loss of paycheck, services under a government shutdown
As many as 4 million workers could lose pay as a result of a shutdown -- about half of whom are military troops and personnel.
-
Politics16h ago
President Of Papua New Guinea Tells President Joe Biden: Our Nation Doesn't Deserve Being Labeled Cannibals
-
Politics23h ago
Trump trial reveals details about how the former president thinks about, and exploits, the media
-
Politics1d ago
Trump’s immunity arguments at Supreme Court highlight dangers − while prosecutors stress larger danger of removing legal accountability
-
Politics1d ago
Philadelphia has a lot more deadly shootings than expected for a big city − and NYC is much safer, new study says
-
Politics1d ago
Outdoors in RI: big animals, tiny Ticks, huge Trout, Chepachet’s Harmony Railway, 2A – Jeff Gross
-
Politics2d ago
Arizona’s 1864 abortion law was made in a women’s rights desert – here’s what life was like then
-
Politics2d ago
When the Supreme Court said it’s important to move quickly in key presidential cases like Trump’s immunity claim
-
Politics2d ago
President Biden Signs Bill To Ban TikTok: How Long Would It Take To Kick TikTok Out Of America?