"President Donald Trump said Saturday that he has directed the Defense Department to use "all available funds" to ensure U.S. troops are paid Wednesday despite the government shutdown, a short-term fix that will not apply to the hundreds of thousands of federal workers who have been furloughed. Trump said in a social media post that he was acting because "our Brave Troops will miss the paychecks they are rightfully due on October 15th.""
"The Republican president's directive removes one of the pressure points that could have forced Congress into action, likely ensuring that the shutdown - now in its 11th day and counting - extends into a third week and possibly beyond. But no similar action seems forthcoming for federal employees also working without pay while thousands are now being laid off during the lapse in government operations. The White House budget office started the layoffs on Friday."
President Donald Trump directed the Defense Department to use available funds to ensure U.S. service members receive paychecks on October 15 despite the government shutdown. The directive covers active-duty troops but does not extend to the hundreds of thousands of federal employees who have been furloughed or to others working without pay. The action removes a leverage point that could have pressured Congress and increases the likelihood the shutdown will continue into a third week or longer. The White House budget office began layoffs for some federal workers. The president did not specify the precise funding source, though redirected defense funds are a possible source.
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