FROM THE HILL: Time is running out to find the next solution to get service members paid during the government shutdown, as the $8 billion the Trump administration found to cover troops’ paychecks is due to run out at the end of the month.
After Senate Democrats on Thursday sank a vote on Sen. Ron Johnson’s (R-Wis.) bill to pay active-duty military personnel and federal employees required to work during the shutdown, troops, sailors and Air Force members may not receive their Oct. 31 paycheck.
Now, with the shutdown into its fourth week and no end in sight, the administration will need to figure out where to pull additional funds from if it wants its forces to be paid, should Congress fail to come up with a solution in time.
“While I am grateful President Trump paid service members thus far, I am concerned that money will run out by the end of October and our military won’t get paid on time,” said Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.).
Trump ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to use $8 billion in Pentagon funds for RDT&E to pay service members’ midmonth paychecks. However, the pay cycle cost $6.5 billion, leaving only $1.5 billion for the looming $6-$7 billion Oct. 31 payday.
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