Shutdown
Trump admin says feds should get at least most backpay by Nov. 19
GSA and OPM workers will be the first to see the first month’s work of pay—belayed by the 43-day government shutdown—with what the White House is calling a “super check” that should be delivered on Saturday.
Agencies could still be digging out from shutdown when funding deal ends, association says
The Congressional Budget Office and an industry group for federal contractors both predict the government won’t return to pre-shutdown operational levels until 2026. A partial funding lapse could start at the end of January without congressional action.
Breaking News
Government to reopen after House votes to end longest-ever shutdown
Many furloughed workers, who will receive backpay, were already told Wednesday to report to work the following day for the first time in nearly six weeks.
Stopgap spending bill clears Senate, heads to House for vote
The measure aims to reopen the government after the longest shutdown in U.S. history, with lawmakers in the House expected to vote in the coming days.
Major takeaways for federal agencies on the funding deal to reopen government
Congress appears poised to end the longest-ever shutdown later this week with a bill with major implications for several key agencies.
Education Department can’t use furloughed employees’ out-of-office emails to blame shutdown on Democrats, judge rules
The American Federation of Government Employees filed a lawsuit after Education staffers reported that their out-of-office messages had been modified.
Breaking News
Senate moves shutdown-ending deal that would ensure backpay and unwind some federal layoffs
A bipartisan agreement to end the longest-ever government shutdown, would fund some agencies through fiscal 2026 and the rest through January, and guarantee backpay for furloughed workers.
Shutdown fight in the Senate likely to drag through the weekend
Senators are staying in Washington through the weekend as talks continue on a short-term spending deal to end the government shutdown, with both parties trading proposals on health care subsidies and federal worker pay.
There is bipartisan interest in federal worker layoff protections in any deal to reopen government
Republicans have floated reversing RIFs and Democrats are noting promising progress in negotiations.
OPM’s new blog touts modernization while retirees wait for answers during the shutdown
In his “Secrets of OPM” posts, Director Scott Kupor outlines efforts to digitize retirement processing and improve efficiency, but offers little guidance for those caught in the shutdown backlog.
DHS says shutdown layoffs at CISA will proceed despite court injunction
The cybersecurity agency says it has complied with the court’s order because the firing of 54 people in its Stakeholder Engagement Division was planned beforehand and doesn’t affect unionized employees.
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‘We’ll still continue to serve’: Many federal employees turn to volunteering during shutdown
Many government workers say they have also had to rely on nonprofits for assistance during the funding lapse.
FAA plans to cut 10% of flights in major markets due to shutdown-related staffing issues
Air traffic controllers are increasingly not showing up to work while their paychecks are withheld.
Fresh from election wins, Dems demand Trump meeting over shutdown
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., sent a letter to President Donald Trump on Wednesday, calling for a bipartisan meeting to end the government shutdown.
‘We’re closer to the end': Lawmakers signal some progress in bipartisan talks to end shutdown
Funding lapse set to reach record levels but senators in both parties voice mild hope of progress.
Shutdown compounds a year of pain for federal contractors, employees
Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va., says the closure amplifies the billions in contract cancellations and workforce cuts.
At NSA, a leadership vacuum and staff cuts threaten morale and operational strength
"That’s what happens when your boss disappears, and then some of your lead unicorns also disappear,” one person said.
Airports seeing spike in shutdown impacts as TSA screeners and air traffic controllers call out
Some airports are seeing three-hours lines while dozens have experienced shutdown-related delays.
Two judges block Trump administration from cutting SNAP benefits
A pair of rulings have temporarily paused White House plans to halt funding to the food assistance program during the government shutdown.
Employees are receiving renewed furlough notices as shutdown enters second month, this time without back pay guarantees
The shutdown is heading into November, sparking new, altered furlough notices to 650,000 employees.
