Government contractors still feeling effects of shutdown despite it ending

Published November 22, 2025 9:00am ET



The longest government shutdown in U.S. history has ended after 43 days, and while many received back pay and moved on, for others, the effects are still being felt.

Due to the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, federal employees are guaranteed back pay during shutdowns, but for federal contractors who work with government employees, the situation is a little more complicated. 

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