Sadly, they mostly get backpay. Shutdowns don't save money...but at least the politicians aren't actively fucking us during the downtime, so it's still a win. But it really needs to be changed so a shutdown actually means a shutdown, and these fuckers don't get paid.

Can't keep the government running? Firstly, good. Secondly, then you shouldn't get paid. If I'm an owner/manager/employee at a store, and I can't keep that store open, I don't get to decide to pay myself with other people's money after the fact.