The government shutdown affecting federal workers, the longest in history, includes the FBI’s nearly 5K personnel, Nextgov reported Friday.
The shutdown has resulted in workers in the FBI and other federal agencies being furloughed and working without pay in addition to bearing the consequences of steep budget cuts.
Tom O’Connor, a special agent and president of the FBI’s Agents Association, said the agency’s forensic analysis lab in Quantico, Va., has been facing backlog while funding to support operations such as anti-drug trafficking and undercover missions are being limited.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, employees at its recently created Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency have also been furloughed.
Other employees carrying out their duties without pay include those from the Secret Service, Transportation Security Administration and air traffic controllers.
Some federal workers have filed lawsuits that argue violations in the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.