Partnership for Public Service statement on first missed payday for federal employees during government shutdown

October 10, 2025

WASHINGTON – The nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service today released the following statement from President and CEO Max Stier in response to the first missed paycheck for most federal civil servants during the government shutdown: 

“It is wrong to make federal employees suffer because our leaders in Congress and the White House have failed to keep our government open and operational. 

“Like their military colleagues, our federal civil servants perform critical work for the public, including helping keep us safe. Our air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown, and they shouldn’t bear the financial burden created by the failures of our elected officials. The irony is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid. 

“Regardless of the status of an agreement to end the shutdown, Congress should act to ensure that all civil servants, furloughed or not, are paid now alongside members of our armed services before the next military paycheck deadline on Oct. 15.” 

The Partnership’s Federal Harms Tracker monitors how the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle federal institutions, funding streams and infrastructure are disrupting critical public services and agency work. Check out the new Cost to the Shutdown feature for daily stories about the harm caused by the interruption of vital services provided by the government. 

For more information about how the government shutdown is impacting federal employees and the public, visit the Partnership’s government shutdown resource hub.  

During the past 24 years, the nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service has been dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy. We work across administrations to help transform the way government works by providing agencies with the data insights they need to succeed, developing effective leaders, inspiring the next generation to public service, facilitating smooth presidential transitions and recognizing exceptional federal employees.    

Visit ourpublicservice.org, follow us @PublicService and subscribe today to get the latest federal news, information on upcoming Partnership programs and events, and more.  

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