President Trump said he would ensure Department of Homeland Security employees are paid even as the House again failed to take up a Senate-passed funding measure, extending a shutdown that has reached 48 days, according to GovExec’s Pay & Benefits reporting.
- The House did not vote on a Senate measure that would fund DHS through September, prolonging the lapse in appropriations, GovExec reported.
- Trump said he would “make sure” DHS workers are paid, amid continued uncertainty for federal employees and contractors affected by the shutdown, according to GovExec.
- The shutdown has lasted 48 days, leaving many DHS personnel working without pay while others are furloughed, GovExec reported.
- Contractors supporting DHS operations remain at risk of missed paychecks and work stoppages during the funding lapse, GovExec reported.
- The Senate measure was expected to be a potential off-ramp for DHS funding, but House inaction kept the shutdown in place, according to GovExec.
The impasse centers on funding for the Department of Homeland Security, where large segments of the workforce are designated “excepted” and must continue working during a shutdown. Those employees generally do not receive pay until appropriations are restored and Congress authorizes back pay.
GovExec reported that Trump’s comments came as federal workers and contractors faced growing financial strain and questions about when missed pay would be restored. While Congress has historically approved back pay for furloughed and excepted federal employees after shutdowns, contractor compensation is not automatically guaranteed and can vary by contract terms and agency decisions.
For DHS employees, the immediate issue is cash flow: pay is delayed during the shutdown, even for employees required to report to duty. Workers looking for guidance on how missed pay and shutdown-related disruptions can affect budgeting and benefits may consult FedInfo’s benefits guides for general federal pay and benefits information.
The broader context is ongoing disagreement in Congress over DHS appropriations. GovExec reported that the House’s failure to act on the Senate bill meant no near-term resolution for DHS employees and contractors, despite public statements signaling support for paying workers.
Source: GovExec — Pay & Benefits