'There's a lot of fear': Federal worker remains without pay weeks after shutdown ends

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The shutdown ended weeks ago, but some government workers said they still have not received a paycheck while the potential for another government shutdown looms.

Rachel Brummert works for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Brummert said she looks over data and makes recommendations after analyzing the risk and benefits of medical devices.

She was one of thousands of federal workers furloughed during the shutdown. While she is back to work, she has not received a paycheck in over a month.

"There's a lot of fear that we're going to lose our home or that we're not going to be able to make car payments," Brummert said. "We've had to ration food, we've had to ration medications."

Brummert said she received a letter after the government shutdown ended, acknowledging there would be impacts from the lapse in funding.

Brummert said she recently started a part-time job, training to be a ombudsman.

"I figured since I worked for the federal government that I had job security and that was a rude awakening," Brummert said.

Channel 9 reached out to the spouse of a TSA agent at Charlotte Douglas Airport. He said his wife received a paycheck, but is still owed a lot of money.

"We're trying to prepare for it. When my wife does eventually get paid, it's going to be saved in case there is a government shutdown," the man said. "They're still trying to figure out everybody's payroll so they can pay them."

Both families said they are concerned for what may happen next.

"It's a concern definitely, for sure. There's a worry every day," Brummert said.

Channel 9's Stephanie Tinoco reached out to the FDA and TSA for comment, but is waiting to hear back.

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