[mfoy_]

So, before he announced the details of the re-opening, he said that many of the furloughed employees strongly supported him and that many even encouraged him to continue the shutdown. He's living in his own version of reality.

[syspec]

I agree he is, but on the other hand those furloughed employees will receive back pay so an even more prolonged shutdown is essentially a paid vacation for the ones who have some savings.

So I’m sure /those/ employees might encourage a shutdown, but it isn’t because they believe in his cause

[mfoy_]

You're not wrong, but that's a very charitable interpretation.

The furloughed employees aren't actually guaranteed back-pay. Additionally, the ones who are deemed "essential" just have to work for free or quit.

[votepaunchy]

> The furloughed employees aren't actually guaranteed back-pay.

The bill approving back-pay for the just-concluded shutdown also covers the remainder of the fiscal year (through September).

[kuhhk]

Wait, so does that mean pay would be ensured in the case of another shutdown?

[scarface74]

With the widely reported stats that most Americans can’t handle a $400 emergency, you can’t have too much of a “vacation” when you are worried about your bills.