A bill supported by Democrats aimed at mandating a vote for military pay during the ongoing government shutdown was blocked in the House on Friday. As the shutdown extends into its third week, there are increasing calls from both Democrats and some Republicans for a vote to ensure that U.S. military personnel receive their paychecks by the upcoming October 15 deadline.
However, Republican leaders dismissed this demand, viewing it as a ploy by Democrats after they refused to back a Republican funding bill that would have maintained payroll for military and federal employees.
During a brief House session on Friday, Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D-Md.) sought unanimous consent to move the bill forward but was interrupted by House Veterans Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.), who ended the session before she could complete her request.
Active military members, categorized as “essential,” are required to remain on duty during the shutdown. Yet, like other federal employees, they will not be compensated until the government provides funding, which would reimburse them for the missed payments during this period.
The Republican-led continuing resolution passed the House on September 19 predominantly along party lines. This resolution aims to maintain current funding levels until November 21, allowing Congress additional time to negotiate spending for the fiscal year 2026.
The bill, devoid of additional policy stipulations, is projected to save approximately $88 million to enhance security for Congress members, the White House, and the judiciary, which has garnered bipartisan support. In contrast, Democrats, frustrated about their exclusion from funding discussions, are demanding an extension of pandemic-era Obamacare subsidies and a halt to Medicaid cuts implemented by Republicans in exchange for their backing.
This funding proposal has been rejected multiple times in the Senate and has consequently stalled.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) expressed visible frustration while addressing reporters on Friday, referencing the military pay concern. He reminded that a clean, bipartisan continuing resolution had been passed by the House three weeks earlier, aimed at funding the government and ensuring military personnel, TSA agents, Border Patrol agents, and air traffic controllers are compensated.
Johnson criticized Senate Democrats for voting against measures to keep the government operational, claiming they had blocked paychecks for millions of federal workers.
In a further discussion, he described a solitary vote on military pay as an exercise in futility, citing expected opposition from Senate Democrats.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) characterized the Democrats’ floor effort on Friday as a significant political maneuver intended more for show than substance.
Interestingly, despite the overall Republican consensus on the matter, a couple of Republican representatives, Jen Quiggans (R-Va.) and Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), have publicly advocated for a separate vote concerning military pay.
Constitutionally, the House must hold brief sessions, known as “interim” sessions, periodically to maintain legislative continuity. These sessions can serve as platforms for lawmakers to deliver short speeches or bring forth legislation that might not have a chance otherwise.
