Republican Sen. Thom Tillis (N.C.) on Tuesday strongly criticized the White House budget office for circulating a draft memo indicating that furloughed federal workers may not automatically receive back pay when the government eventually reopens.

“I think it’s a horrible message to send to people who are basically hostages right now to the Democrats shutting down the government, not agreeing to a clean [continuing resolution,]” Tillis told reporters. “I think it’s bad strategy.”

Tillis said the threat sends the wrong message to federal workers, who have been furloughed since Wednesday and may need to borrow money just to pay their bills.

“I do think there’s some frustration from the White House but you’ve got these people who if they’re members of the credit union who may be borrowing m

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