On January 9, 2009, the federal government postponed the January 15, 2009, deadline by which federal contractors and subcontractors were required to use E-Verify. Under the law, federal contractors and subcontractors were to verify the work authorization of all new hires and existing personnel assigned to perform work on future federal contracts. Because of a pending lawsuit challenging E-Verify, the deadline has been postponed until February 20, 2009.