Obama supports giving furloughed workers backpay

On Friday, the White House announced that Obama gave his support for legislation that would ensure furloughed workers get their missed pay when the government shutdown ends.

In a statement by the White House Office of Management and Budget, it was said: “Federal workers keep the nation safe and secure and provide vital services that support the economic security of American families,” the White House Office of Management and Budget said in a statement. “The administration appreciates that the Congress is acting promptly to move this bipartisan legislation and looks forward to the bill’s swift passage. This bill alone, however, will not address the serious consequences of the funding lapse, nor will a piecemeal approach to appropriations bills.”

The act is called the Federal Employee Retroactive Pay Fairness Act. Rep. Jim Moran and Frank Wolf are sponsors of the bill, with many co-sponsors supporting it. Obama has received some criticism for supporting a similar act which would ensure payment to U.S. military service members, but opposing funding to other parts of government.

Spokesman for John Boehner, Michael Steel, said: “So, to recap, the President signed the troop funding bill, and does not oppose back-pay, but he has promised to veto bills helping veterans, cancer research, National Parks, the District of Columbia.  Interesting priorities.”