President Donald Trump has signed a funding package ending the partial government shutdown and authorizing back pay for federal employees who were furloughed during the lapse in appropriations, according to Federal News Network.
- Shutdown status: The partial shutdown is over following Trump’s signature on the spending package, Federal News Network reported.
- Back pay included: The legislation provides back pay for furloughed federal employees covering the shutdown period, according to Federal News Network.
- Who decides pay during a shutdown: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance states that Congress determines through legislation whether furloughed workers receive pay for the shutdown period.
- Immediate next steps: Agencies will follow OPM guidance and their own payroll procedures to implement back pay once the enacted law and related instructions are in place.
- Key terms for employees: “Furloughed” employees are those placed in a non-pay, non-duty status due to a funding lapse; “excepted” employees generally continue working but may not be paid until appropriations are enacted, depending on the circumstances and statutory authority.
The shutdown ended after Congress passed, and the president signed, a spending deal to restore funding for affected agencies. Federal News Network reported the package includes back pay for furloughed employees—addressing one of the most immediate concerns for federal workers and their families after a shutdown.
OPM has repeatedly emphasized in shutdown guidance that pay outcomes are not automatic: whether employees receive compensation for time missed during a lapse in appropriations depends on what Congress passes and the president signs. In this case, the enacted package includes back pay, Federal News Network reported.
Federal employees should watch for agency-specific instructions on timing. Even when back pay is authorized, payroll processing can vary by agency and pay system. Employees may also need to verify time and attendance entries—particularly those who were furloughed for only part of the shutdown window or who had pre-approved leave affected by the lapse.
For general shutdown and pay policy explanations, see FedBrief’s shutdown guidance overview: https://fedbrief.org/ (cross-link). For pay and leave reference tools, see FedInfo: https://fedinfo.org/ (cross-link).
Source: Federal News Network — Mike Causey, “House passes spending deal to end partial shutdown, securing back pay for furloughed feds” (Feb. 2026), https://federalnewsnetwork.com/federal-report/2026/02/house-passes-spending-deal-to-end-partial-shutdown-securing-back-pay-for-furloughed-feds/