The State Department told all U.S. diplomats in Washington and at embassies abroad to return to work starting next week and that they will be paid despite the ongoing government shutdown.
In a notice to staff, the department said it had found money to pay its employees beginning Monday for the next two-week pay period. They will not be paid for time worked since the shutdown began until it ends, according to the notice, which was posted to the department’s website and sent to employees.
It was not immediately clear where the money was found, but the department said it had taken steps to “make available additional funds to pay the salaries of its employees, including those affected by the current lapse.”
The department said it was taking the step because it had become clear that the lapse in funding is harming efforts “to address the myriad critical issues requiring U.S. leadership around the globe and to fulfill our commitments to the American people.” It also said the department’s leadership was “deeply concerned” about the financial hardships its employees are facing.
About one quarter of federal agencies have been shuttered since Dec. 22, with Democratic lawmakers refusing to accede to President Donald Trump’s demands to pay for a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico.
Trump is holding out for $5.7 billion for a border wall. Democrats, who took over the U.S. House Representatives this month, have rejected his demands, saying there are cheaper, more effective ways of enhancing border security.