(NewsNation) — Federal workers aren't guaranteed back pay for their mandated time off when furloughed, according to a White House memo obtained by Axios.

The memo from the Office of Management and Budget hinges on an interpretation of the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, an administration official confirmed to NewsNation partner The Hill. The memo came as the federal government shutdown hit one week on Tuesday.

Trump signed the 2019 law during the last government shutdown, which lasted for 35 days amid opposition for his border wall project.

Citing a line in the amended version of the law, the OMB memo makes the argument that furloughed employees only get back pay "subject to the enactment of appropriations Acts ending the lapse.”

Current guidance from the Office of Pers

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