Senate Passes Bill to Guarantee Furloughed Feds Back Pay

The Senate on Friday passed legislation to ensure federal employees facing furloughs during a potential partial government shutdown are guaranteed back pay once the government reopens. About 345,000 federal workers are set to be furloughed if Congress fails to act by midnight; those employees would not receive back pay for their furlough days unless Congress acts. The Senate approved the measure by unanimous consent meaning no member voiced any opposition as hopes for a spending deal wavered just hours before before the deadline.