Sheriff of Nottingham

President Trump Signed Law Guaranteeing Federal Workers Back Pay

In 2019, President Donald Trump signed into law the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 (GEFTA), guaranteeing back pay for federal employees affected by government shutdowns.

The legislation was enacted on January 16, 2019, and applies to any lapse in appropriations beginning on or after December 22, 2018. This means it covers not only the 2018–2019 shutdown but also any future government shutdowns.

What the Law Does

• Furloughed employees are entitled to receive back pay for the duration of a shutdown once funding is restored.
• Excepted employees—those required to work without pay—must also be paid retroactively once appropriations resume.

Recent Debate

While the law was designed to ensure fairness for federal workers, there has been recent debate about whether GEFTA automatically guarantees payment or if additional congressional action is required to release funds.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019

• U.S. Office of Personnel Management — Guidance for Shutdown Furloughs (OPM)
• GovInfo — Public Law 116-1, Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 (full statute)
• Congress.gov — S.24 (116th): Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 (bill summary)