WASHINGTON – As the federal government shutdown heads into its second week, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) declined to support a separate measure aimed at funding the salaries for U.S. military personnel.
During a press conference, Prime Minister Boris Johnson highlighted that a temporary funding bill passed by the House of Commons on September 19 adequately covers military salaries.
“We’ve already voted on this,” said the House Speaker. “The consensus among Republicans, plus at least one Democrat, was clear: we want to keep the government running. We want to ensure the military, air traffic controllers, and others get paid.”
Representative Jared Golden (D-Maine) was noted as the sole lawmaker backing a full government funding plan along party lines, aiming for completion by November 21.
Johnson also noted that some House Democrats seem to insist on another vote, despite having gone on record supporting military pay.
Last month, Representative Jen Quiggans (R-Va.) introduced legislation to guarantee military personnel would receive payments even if the government shuts down through early 2027.
“The President has been clear: our troops must be paid,” stated Quiggans, who represents an area with many military families around Naval Base Norfolk.
Over the weekend, President Trump assured Navy sailors that they would receive “every last penny” due to them, despite the ongoing shutdown.
However, Johnson referred to a memo from the White House Office of Management and Budget indicating that not all furloughed employees would receive back pay after the shutdown ends, even though a prior law ensured this during the last lengthy shutdown in late 2018 and early 2019.
“We certainly hope that furloughed workers get paid what they’re owed,” Johnson remarked about federal employees who serve diligently across various agencies.
He later expressed his firm belief in the traditional model of federal employee pay, stating, “It’s always been a precedent that they get compensated, and I think that’s the way it should remain.”
The three senators aligned with Democrats – John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, and independent Angus King of Maine – have consistently backed government reopening efforts since the shutdown began on October 1.
However, 44 Senate Democrats repeatedly blocked bills meant to circumvent the 60-vote filibuster required during this period.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) convened caucuses against the temporary funding proposal, arguing it fails to extend crucial subsidies for the Affordable Care Act, which are vital for keeping health insurance affordable.
Both Prime Minister Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) indicated that discussions regarding Obamacare subsidies, expiring at the year’s end, would be reserved for after passing basic funding legislation in both chambers.
