Deal includes back pay for federal workers

A Senate deal to open the government and raise the debt ceiling would also grant back pay to an estimated 800,000 furloughed federal workers.

The Senate Democratic leadership has told senators representing Maryland and Virginia that the final deal would take care of federal workers who have been denied pay because of the shutdown.

“It’s in this agreement,” Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), an outspoken advocate for federal workers, said.

Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (Ill.) also said language granting back pay to federal workers was in the bill.

The House voted Oct. 5 to approve a bill granting back pay to all workers furloughed because of the expiration of government funding on Oct. 1.

Cardin and Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) sponsored Senate companion legislation.

“Through no fault of their own, over 150,000 federal workers in Virginia are facing a second round of furloughs today as a result of House Republicans’ unwillingness to accept a spending bill compromise to fund the government,” Kaine said Oct. 1, when the group unveiled the bill.

Cardin told leaders that any final agreement opening the government and raising the debt limit should include language helping federal workers affected by the shutdown.

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