Congress gets paid during a government shutdown, others have to wait

(NewsNation) — The federal government shut down for the first time since 2019 on Wednesday morning, leaving many employees working without pay until funding is restored.

TSA agents and air traffic controllers will stay on the job, along with thousands of other essential workers, including those who keep Social Security running.

The catch: Many essential employees won't get paid until funding resumes, meaning they could miss one or more paychecks depending on how long the shutdown lasts.

Hundreds of thousands of other federal employees find themselves furloughed. But like those still working without pay, they are guaranteed back pay thanks to a 2019 law.

Members of Congress, however, continue to be paid during a shutdown, as do postal workers, since USPS is a self-funded, independent ag