Trump says US has a way to pay troops during shutdown
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US President Donald Trump arriving at Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre in Bethesda, Maryland, on Oct 10.
PHOTO: AFP
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WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump said on Oct 11 his administration has found a way to pay troops during the federal government shutdown and that he has ordered Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth to do so.
“I am using my authority, as Commander in Chief, to direct our Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to use all available funds to get our Troops PAID on October 15th,” the President wrote in a Truth Social post.
“We have identified funds to do this, and Secretary Hegseth will use them to PAY OUR TROOPS.”
Mr Trump did not identify funding sources or the total amount that would be used for troop salaries.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for details on the funds that would be used. A Pentagon spokesperson referred Reuters to the Office of Management and Budget.
Mr Trump made the announcement on the 11th day of a government shutdown that was sparked by a funding impasse
His Republican Party controls the House of Representatives and the Senate. But to reach the 60 votes needed in the Senate to pass a spending Bill, Republicans must convince at least seven Democratic senators to back the measure.
Democrats are using that leverage to push for continuing and expanding healthcare subsidies for people who buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act.
Democratic lawmakers have refused to back a government spending Bill that does not address the issue.
In his Truth Social post, Mr Trump said he would “not allow the Democrats to hold our Military, and the entire Security of our Nation HOSTAGE with their dangerous Government shutdown”.
He pledged to work with the Democrats on healthcare if they agree to reopen the government.
On Oct 11, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries called Democrats back to Washington for an Oct 14 evening meeting “to discuss a path forward in connection with the Republican shutdown and the healthcare crisis they have created”.
He issued the summons even though House Speaker Mike Johnson has said he will not schedule any legislative sessions until the shutdown ends. REUTERS
