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3h ago

Trump Orders Pentagon to Tap $8 Billion to Ensure Oct. 15 Troop Pay During Shutdown

Removing the threat of missed troop pay shifts leverage in the Senate funding standoff.

US Navy sailors listen to President Donald Trump speak during the Navy's 250th anniversary celebration in Norfolk, Virginia, on October 5, 2025
Vehicles wait in line to enter Joshua Tree National Park in California, on October 10, 2025, on the tenth day of the federal government shutdown. The US national park in southeastern California, located in both the Mojave and Colorado deserts, has remained open and accessible since the shutdown began. Some visitor services are limited or closed, with entrance fees not collected as a limited staff of maintenance personnel remain on duty.
A general view of the U.S. Capitol from downtown Washington during the continuing partial federal government shutdown on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., October 8, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an announcement about lowering U.S. drug prices, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., October 10, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura

Overview

  • The Defense Department said it has identified about $8 billion in unobligated research, development, testing and evaluation funds from the prior fiscal year to issue Oct. 15 paychecks to active-duty service members.
  • The directive is a short-term workaround that does not extend to furloughed civilian federal workers, and the White House budget office has begun layoffs during the funding lapse.
  • Appropriations experts warned the reallocation could face challenges under the Antideficiency Act, with potential Government Accountability Office scrutiny expected but not yet initiated.
  • It remains uncertain whether the U.S. Coast Guard, which is paid through the Department of Homeland Security in peacetime, will be covered by the redirected funds.
  • Trump framed the move as necessary and blamed Democrats, as congressional talks remain deadlocked over health-care subsidy provisions and a stopgap funding measure.