White House Finds Funds to Pay Troops During Shutdown
The ongoing government shutdown has raised concerns about military pay. In response, the White House has taken measures to ensure troops receive their salaries. This week, funds from multiple Defense Department accounts will be accessed to fulfill payroll obligations.
Funding Sources for Military Pay
Officials confirmed that the administration has identified a total of $5.3 billion to cover military pay. The funds come from various sources:
- $1.4 billion from the research, development, test, and evaluation account
- $1.4 billion from the procurement account
- $2.5 billion from the One Big Beautiful Act, which provided money originally allocated for housing allowances
The White House indicated that the total cost to cover military pay for the first half of October was approximately $6.5 billion. The administration’s efforts aim to alleviate concerns about whether troops will receive their salaries during the shutdown.
Impact of the Government Shutdown
The government shutdown has caused uncertainty regarding military paychecks. Most service members had not received their pay as of Thursday, raising alarms among financial institutions like the Navy Federal Credit Union. The credit union placed notices informing members of the situation and monitoring funding status updates.
Additionally, a donation of $130 million from billionaire Timothy Mellon was directed to support military salaries, providing an extra layer of financial assistance for service members.
Legislative Proposals and Challenges
In an effort to protect military personnel from pay disruptions, Senate Democrats introduced the Armed Forces Pay Act. Led by Senator Chris Coons, this bill aimed to ensure uninterrupted payments during the shutdown; however, it faced opposition from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who blocked its passage.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed concerns that if the shutdown persists, service members might miss their upcoming Nov. 15 paychecks. The situation remains tense as both troops and lawmakers navigate the impacts of the ongoing shutdown.
