White House Secures Funds from Multiple Accounts to Support Troops During Government Shutdown

White House Finds Funds to Pay Troops Amid Ongoing Shutdown

The White House has turned to three Defense Department accounts to ensure troops get paid during the continuing government shutdown. A senior official confirmed that $1.4 billion will come from research and development budgets, while another $1.4 billion will be sourced from procurement accounts. Additionally, $2.5 billion is drawn from the “One Big Beautiful Act,” originally intended for housing stipends for service members.

Recently, Axios reported on this funding strategy, shedding light on the uncertainty surrounding military paychecks due to the shutdown. The White House indicated that covering military pay for October’s first half cost about $6.5 billion. According to the Office of Management and Budget, the $5.3 billion identified from these accounts should be sufficient for the current pay period.

Elaine McCusker, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and former Pentagon comptroller, noted that the combined funding could keep paychecks flowing but warned that if there’s a shortfall, the government might need to defer some payroll costs. She explained the possibility of staggered payment delays, citing that certain expenses like retirement accruals might be put on hold until the shutdown ends.

Interestingly, the Defense Department also received a $130 million donation from billionaire Timothy Mellon to help fund military salaries. During the last pay cycle, troops began receiving funds between October 13 and 15, following a similar financial shuffle where $8 billion was moved to cover pay.

As of Thursday, many service members were still waiting for their paychecks, scheduled to arrive on Friday. Navy Federal Credit Union communicated with its members that it hasn’t fully received military pay funds yet but is monitoring the situation closely. They reassured members enrolled in a government shutdown assistance program that their funds would be available soon.

Political discussions around military pay are heating up. Recently, Senate Democrats proposed the Armed Forces Pay Act, aiming to ensure continued pay for military personnel during shutdowns. However, the bill faced a roadblock when Sen. Mitch McConnell opposed it, complicating the situation further.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent offered a sobering outlook: if the shutdown persists, service members may miss their next paycheck on November 15. This uncertainty adds to the frustrations and challenges faced by those serving in the military.

The ongoing shutdown also highlights a broader trend. A recent survey showed that 60% of Americans are worried about the impact of government shutdowns on essential services and military operations. Many citizens believe that military pay delays erode trust in government and its commitment to service members.

In these challenging times, the focus remains on how the government prioritizes the needs of those who serve, and the implications of shutdowns on their lives and well-being.

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