Concerns about military pay remain after Trump eases major shutdown issue

Members of the U.S. military were set to miss their first paychecks following Wednesday’s government shutdown, but active-duty troops are at least getting some relief thanks to the Trump administration’s decision to reshuffle some Pentagon funds.

House Republican leaders have indicated the White House could do the same for federal law enforcement, many of whom have already missed paydays amid the ongoing standoff.

The government shutdown is in its 15th day as Democrats and Republicans remain in an impasse over federal funding.

Neither side has shown any sign of acquiescing to the other’s demands. And the White House’s decision to pay the troops, while welcome to House GOP veterans, also removes a significant pressure point on both sides to quickly end the shutdown.

“It’s sad that Democrats are using President Trump’s good graces to extend this shutdown even further,” a senior House GOP aide told Fox News Digital about military pay.

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President Donald Trump gestures to the crowd during the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, February 22, 2025, in Oxon Hill, Maryland. (José Luis Magana/AP Photo)

Even House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., tacitly welcomed the move, though he did not mention President Donald Trump or the White House.

“I support making sure that our men and women in uniform, our active duty troops, are paid,” Jeffries said during a news conference Tuesday.

Republican lawmakers in the House of Representatives who served in the armed forces told Fox News Digital it was a welcome move, but one that did not allay all of their concerns. They continue to push for a quick resolution to the funding issue, warning that the military is still at stake.

“I’m very grateful that the administration has at least recognized and found a way to make sure our military families are taken care of,” said Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., who has spearheaded a bipartisan bill to ensure active duty and civilian military personnel are paid during shutdowns every year she has served in Congress.

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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, October 3, 2025. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The Virginia Republican said she remained concerned about the fate of civilian military employees, who also would have been paid under her legislation. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has ruled out a standalone vote on troop pay, arguing it would not pass the Senate and would only serve to give political cover to House Democrats after they largely rejected the GOP funding bill, which would end the shutdown and pay the military and others.

“We have a lot of very closely integrated civilians who actually help the day-to-day operations of the military. So we want to continue to advocate for their interests. I would still like to have a floor vote for my bill,” Kiggans said.

And Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., said Trump’s decision was “huge news” but said he remained “very concerned” about that funding drying up in the event of a prolonged shutdown.

“Trump’s mid-month was actually good news for the military community. But now that same community is worried about what happens at the end of the month, when mortgages, rent and car payments come due,” he said.

He also reacted when Fox News Digital asked about the political ramifications of Trump’s decision to pay his troops.

“Democrats were wrong to try to use troop pay as leverage to achieve their policy goals. And it would be wrong, it would be just as wrong, for a Republican to hope that this lack of pay would be a catalyst to get Democrats to acquiesce,” LaLota said.

U.S. Soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Division participate in the Best Warrior Competition at the Rodriguez Shooting Range April 16, 2019 in Pocheon, South Korea. (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

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Thousands of federal workers are typically thrown out of work when funds run out during a government shutdown. Those deemed essential – including active-duty military personnel – normally work without pay.

However, furloughed and essential workers are expected to get their pay back once the closures end.

House Republicans and a Democrat came together to pass a short-term bill to keep the government funded through Nov. 21, but the measure is stalled in the Senate, with Democrats demanding significant concessions on health care before agreeing to a spending bill.