<h1>OMB says 2019 law isn't self-executing, warns furloughed federal employees won't automatically get retroactive pay without new appropriation</h1> The administration issued an Office of Management and Budget memo asserting that the 2019 statute guaranteeing pay after funding lapses is not self-executing and that retroactive pay requires a separate appropriation enacted by Congress, thereby signaling no guaranteed back pay for roughly 750,000 furloughed federal employees during the current shutdown. This departs from longstanding practice of reimbursing missed paychecks and is framed as leverage in funding negotiations. Legal observers warn the position is likely to prompt litigation, and congressional action would be required to provide retroactive wages if lawmakers choose to do so; political deadlock continues over competing funding priorities.