“Gee, I had to spend some extra time off! My check will be deposited directly into my bank account on Saturday December 29 so I can pay my normal bills for the next two weeks!”
During a furlough, you do not get paid. You may not burn excess vacation or sick leave. You do not get paid; but the bills still arrive. Maybe you will get back pay, maybe you will not. You did nothing wrong, and are a political pawn. You cannot take a “vacation” and go anywhere because the day the bill is signed, you MUST report to work the next day. Even through several and they suck. Going with zero percent raises for 3 out of 8 Obama years was rough. Getting less than 2% every other year means we make less than we did 10 years ago. I could make a bit more in industry and for 28 years I did. Got tired of layoffs, reduction in force actions, having an Intel factory close, being out-sourced to Mumbai, India, and losing 90% of my retirement due to something I have zero control over. Now I build rockets that will take mankind to Mars, at a 30% reduction in my past salary - sacrificed for stability. And I put up with this crap. I am not your enemy. I am just a random Sr Scientist assigned to NASA, trying to earn a living and provide for my family.