'It Affects Us All': Impact Of Government Shutdown On Oklahoma Federal Workers

The Senate and House narrowly passed a continuing resolution Saturday night, delaying a government shutdown just hours shy of its deadline. Congress now has another 45 days to pass a regular spending bill.

But the looming threat of a shutdown — and the existing chance to be in a similar situation in November — raises questions for some government employees.

"The different tiers of employment matter a lot," said attorney Jason Reese. Reese explained that if a furlough were to occur, employees might typically be divided into essential and nonessential categories. Despite which category an employee falls in, usually none receive pay; but essential employees are still expected to show up to work.

"But if you're a federal contractor, it's probably worse for you because that expectation, that ability to get backpay, is probably not there," Reese said.

Congress passed the Fair Treatment Act in 2019 which guarantees backpay and other benefits which were lost during a shutdown when the government reopens.

Attorney Shelby Shelton said the issue isn't only relevant for government workers.

"It affects all of us because as you shut down those government services, they impact us in ways we don't always see," Shelton said. "The human impact of that is difficult for all Americans. And it can reduce our GDP."