DAYTON, Ohio – The government shutdown is over for civilian workers at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and other military installations across the country.
On Saturday, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel ordered most of the Defense Department’s 350,000 employees back to work, citing a law that exempts civilians from the government shutdown if they’re contributing to military morale or readiness.
The workers are returning to work today, with back pay, under the Pay Our Military Act passed last week.
Neither side sounds like it’s in a compromising mood as the partial federal shutdown enters its second week. House Speaker John Boehner insists on concessions as part of any increase in the debt limit while the White House opposes any move to couple the budget fight with changes for the health care overhaul.