Members of the U.S. military faced the possibility of not receiving their first paycheck due to the government shutdown that started on Wednesday. Fortunately, active-duty service members are getting some support as the Trump administration has decided to reallocate certain Pentagon funds.
House Republican leaders are indicating that the White House might take similar actions regarding federal law enforcement agencies, many of which have already missed paychecks during the ongoing stalemate.
The shutdown has now reached its 15th day, with neither party showing signs of budging on their demands. Although the White House’s decision to provide pay for troops is a relief for veterans among House Republicans, it also reduces an essential pressure that could have pushed both sides to resolve the government shutdown more quickly.
A senior House Republican aide expressed frustration, stating it’s unfortunate that Democrats are trying to exploit President Trump’s goodwill to extend the shutdown further.
Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries from New York also subtly acknowledged the administration’s decision, although he didn’t directly reference President Trump or the White House. He stated, “We agree to ensure that our active duty military men and women in uniform are paid,” during a news conference.
While the decision is seen as positive, House Republicans with military backgrounds pointed out that it doesn’t address all their worries. They are still pushing for a prompt solution to the funding stalemate and emphasized that the military is not fully supported at this point.
Representative Jen Quiggans (R-Va.) expressed gratitude that the administration found a way to ensure military families are taken care of, noting that she has consistently advocated for military and civilian employee pay during shutdowns.
However, Quiggans remains worried about military civilians who would also have benefitted from the funding. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) dismissed the idea of a standalone vote on military pay, asserting that such a bill would only provide political cover for House Democrats after they couldn’t pass a Senate bill and largely ignored a Republican plan to end the shutdown.
Quiggans emphasized the importance of advocating for civilians who play crucial roles within military operations and expressed her intent to push her bill in the chamber.
Representative Nick Larota (R-N.Y.) termed the President’s move “big news,” but raised concerns about funding potentially running out if the shutdown continues for an extended time. He mentioned that while Trump’s announcement was welcomed by military personnel, they’re anxious about upcoming financial obligations like mortgages and rent.
Moreover, he voiced criticism regarding the political implications of Trump’s actions, asserting that using military pay as a bargaining chip is inappropriate for both parties involved.
Typically, thousands of federal workers face furloughs during shutdowns, while essential personnel, including active-duty military members, work without pay. However, both furloughed and essential workers are expected to receive their due compensation once the shutdown resolves.
Last month, House Republicans collaborated with one Democrat to pass a short-term funding bill slated to keep the government operational until November 21. Unfortunately, this bill is currently stagnant in the Senate, as Democrats are demanding major concessions on healthcare before agreeing to any spending measures.
