When the government shuts down, contractors and their employees pay a steep price

As the partial government shutdown continues into its third week, the total cost keeps mounting. Any shutdown can easily run into billions of dollars, according to the Congressional Research Service.

One significant source is government payrolls. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers are either furloughed or, considered essential, required to work even if not being paid. Congress has, in past shutdowns, agreed to provide back pay to the workers.

But that doesn't generally extend to contractors. The result is that many people who work for the government through third-party employers are left without work — or pay. Other workers on government contracts might continue to receive salaries, but their employers run a big risk of never being reimbursed for keeping people at the ready.

And even if they do eventually get a reimbursement check for the expense, it can take six months to a year for it to arrive, putting the companies, particularly if smaller businesses, in financial danger.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/when-the-government-shuts-down-contractors-and-their-employees-pay-a-steep-price/ar-BBS59Pi?li=BBnb4R7

Trump stiffing contractors? Not to be cavalier but there's nothing new about that.