January 1, Senate Delay Risks Government Shutdown Payday Crunch

Wyatt’s Take

• Senate gridlock on DHS funding could start a partial government shutdown soon.
• Paycheck schedules give lawmakers a short window to fix things before workers feel the pinch.
• Some federal workers might see partial checks if the shutdown drags on.

The government might partially shut down starting just after midnight on Saturday, January 31, if the Senate can’t agree on Department of Homeland Security funding. This would hit six areas of government, about 78% of federal spending, leading to a “lapse in appropriations.”

Lawmakers have a bit of flexibility because most federal workers return Monday, February 2. Workers’ next full paychecks are scheduled for that Monday, covering the period through Thursday, February 5, with checks cut on February 2.

“Workers would at least receive a partial paycheck, through work completed on Friday, January 30. That’s the last day that the government was funded.”

Any money spent after January 31 without Congressional approval breaks the Antideficiency Act. Still, lawmakers have until Tuesday, February 17—the next payday, delayed one day for President’s Day—to prevent most federal employees from missing an entire paycheck.

FAA workers, including air traffic controllers, will get their full February 3 check, since their last pay period ended before the shutdown. The next FAA check on February 17 will be partial if nothing gets resolved, similar to what happened last fall during a shutdown.

If the Senate fight stretches out, lawmakers will keep a close eye on these pay calendars. The weekend shutdown window gives a small cushion for finding an answer before working families miss their pay.

Make sure to keep watching—this standoff could mean real trouble for paycheck-to-paycheck families in the heartland.

Wyatt Matters

Government pay delays hit regular families hardest. Main Street can’t wait while politicians bicker. Hardworking folks deserve better than threats to their livelihood over Washington’s failures.

Read more at Fox News