Tempers flare in Washington as US shutdown threatens troops’ pay
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Some 1.3 million US soldiers are set to miss their pay due on Oct 15 as the shutdown saunters to a third week.
PHOTO: NYTIMES
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WASHINGTON – US senators began a long weekend on Oct 10 that guarantees the government shutdown lasting at least 14 days, with both sides more entrenched than ever and the military facing an unprecedented threat to its pay.
Republicans and Democrats have been getting into angry confrontations in the corridors of Congress, with frustration mounting as the crisis over funding the government hits public services harder each day.
Pressure is mounting on Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring the shuttered lower chamber of Congress back in session to hold an emergency vote on at least providing military pay.
But the Republican leader is sticking to his guns, telling reporters on Oct 9 that he was “committed to keeping the House out of session as long as it takes to pressure Senate Democrats”.
With the Senate out until Oct 14, there is little hope for federal workers left wondering when their pay will be unfrozen.
Now, 1.3 million active-duty service military personnel are also set to miss their pay due on Oct 15, something that has not happened in any of the funding shutdowns through modern history.
Republicans are blaming opposition Democrats, but cracks are beginning to emerge in the House leadership, with conference chair Elsie Stefanik calling for a vote on a Bill to guarantee troops’ pay during the shutdown.
With a prolonged shutdown looking more likely each day, members of Congress have been looking to Republican President Donald Trump to step in and break the stand-off.
‘Emotions are high’
Non-essential government work stopped after the Sept 30 funding deadline, with Senate Democrats repeatedly blocking a Republican resolution to reopen federal agencies.
The sticking point has been a refusal by Republicans to include language in the Bill to address expiring subsidies that make health insurance affordable for 24 million Americans.
Some Senate Republicans are open to giving Democrats a commitment for a vote on extending the enhanced premium tax credits, which expire at the end of 2025.
But the leadership on both sides has refused to sign on to the compromise, with Republicans balking at Democratic demands for a guarantee it would clear both chambers of Congress.
Mr Trump has been largely tuned out, with his focus on the Gaza ceasefire deal and sending federal troops to quell protests in Democratic-led cities such as Chicago and Portland.
“Emotions are high. People are upset. I’m upset,” said Mr Johnson, who clashed with Democratic senators on Oct 8 outside his office over the shutdown.
On the same day, there was an angry five-minute back-and-forth between Republican Representative Mike Lawler and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
“Is it better for them, probably, to be physically separated right now?” Mr Johnson said. “Yes, it probably is, frankly.” AFP
