The White House announced that the Pentagon will move forward with paying active-duty military personnel next week, even as the federal government remains partially shut down. The decision comes amid a prolonged funding standoff between Republicans and Democrats in Congress, which has led to a lapse in appropriations for multiple federal agencies.
The government entered a shutdown after lawmakers failed to reach an agreement on a new spending package. Essential functions, including national security operations, have continued, but many civilian employees are furloughed or working without pay. Military service members, whose compensation is considered mandatory spending, typically face delays if Congress does not pass separate legislation authorizing payments during a shutdown.
President Trump’s directive ensures that the Department of Defense will prioritize the timely distribution of military pay despite the funding impasse. The move aims to shield service members and their families from immediate financial disruptions that often accompany federal budget stalemates. It also reflects the administration’s effort to project stability within the armed forces during a politically charged budget fight on Capitol Hill.
While the Pentagon’s payroll decision provides temporary relief for military personnel, broader negotiations over federal spending remain unresolved. Until Congress reaches a bipartisan agreement to fund government operations, federal agencies will continue operating under shutdown conditions, and hundreds of thousands of civilian employees will remain affected.