This is shameful. Furloughed employees shouldn’t be left with such uncertainty, especially in admin or support roles that have no power in the shutdown. Why not make them salaried instead of hourly so a shutdown is accounted for? Then give year end bonuses if it doesn’t happen or is shorter than expected. But then, Beth, we’d have one less fighter jet!!! Selfish, I know. The military eats first.

‘No Idea How Long People Can Hold Out’: Federal Workers Feel Brunt of Shutdown
As more than one million government employees go without pay, many are turning to side jobs and food banks to make ends meet.
nytimes.com