Government Shutdown Threatens Military Pay

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, placed the blame on Democrats for potential cuts to military pay as the government shutdown continues. He pointed out that the Senate has held seven votes on a stopgap funding bill.

“HR 5371 (Continuing Resolution) is meant to ensure our troops are paid,” he said, expressing his concern that “no military member or their families should experience paycheck issues on October 15th! The House has already passed the bill, so if just five more Democrats voted yes on Tuesday, service members would see their paychecks on Wednesday.”

He urged, “Call your Democratic senators and make it clear that they should stop impacting families who have already endured so much!”

Johnson is under pressure from both parties to bring lawmakers back to Washington for a vote on a separate measure to guarantee service members receive their checks next week, irrespective of the government reopening. However, he announced on Friday that there wouldn’t be a House vote until the funding bill moves forward.

Currently, over 1.3 million military personnel are at risk of not receiving their pay on October 15 if the shutdown persists. Many of these military members are still required to work without compensation due to their roles being deemed essential for national security.

While federal workers were paid on Friday, that covered them only until September 30, just before the funding expires.

Earlier on Friday, a Republican representative from Louisiana indicated that former President Trump, who backed the standalone bill, was looking into ways to ensure military personnel get paid without needing Congress’s approval. The president reassured Navy sailors last Sunday that they need not worry about back pay.

“The executive branch, the president, is also considering options to make sure military personnel are paid,” Johnson noted at a press conference.

He further indicated that Democratic members of Congress have “shown reluctance on eight occasions now because they oppose military spending.” Senators left Washington on Thursday after voting, which resulted in the continuation of the government shutdown into next week. Democrats largely agree on needing healthcare concessions, creating a significant barrier for Republicans aiming to reach the 60-vote requirement for the bill to pass.

If approved, the Continuing Resolution would maintain government funding at levels established during the Biden administration until November 21.