Yoho opposes back pay for furloughed workers

{mosads}“If they’re not working they shouldn’t get paid,” he said in a tele-town hall Thursday night, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Yoho said he agreed “100 percent” with a constituent who argued furloughed federal workers who are at “home watching Netflix and whatever” probably should not get back pay. The caller said those employees working though the shutdown, however, should be paid. 

Excepted federal employees who are working during the shutdown are expected to receive pay once the government reopens. 

Nearly 800,000 federal workers were furloughed Oct. 1 when the government shut down. Some agencies, like the Department of Defense, have brought back some of their staff. 

Some members of Congress have done the same, as it is increasingly likely that they will eventually be paid. 

Rep. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.) said earlier this week he was bringing back his staff because it is in the best interest of the taxpayer to have them working — with the expectation that they would eventually get paid anyway. 

“Anything less would amount to an extended taxpayer subsidized vacation,” he said in a Facebook post Monday. 

Other lawmakers were preparing to do the same Friday.  

The Senate has not yet taken up the House-passed measure, but it is expected to pass and be signed by President Obama. 

The White House issued a statement in support of the legislation ahead of the House vote last week, arguing back pay is separate from the piecemeal approach Republicans have taken up, which Democrats have opposed. 

“The Administration appreciates that the Congress is acting promptly to move this bipartisan legislation and looks forward to the bill’s swift passage,” the White House said.