With a government shutdown underway, millions of Americans are watching closely — especially military personnel, whose next payday on October 15 now hangs in the balance.
Even though the Department of Defense considers service members essential and they will continue performing duties during the shutdown, the lack of congressional funding means their pay could be delayed until lawmakers approve new financial measures.
Who Could Be Affected?
Roughly 1.3 million active-duty service members, along with National Guard members and civilian employees at the Defense Department, are facing uncertainty about whether their October 15 paychecks will be issued. Reuters+2AP News+2
Why the Delay?
Because Congress has not passed new appropriations or a stopgap funding bill, the Pentagon lacks the authorization needed to process pay. In past shutdowns, lawmakers have intervened to protect military pay—but that move hasn’t yet taken shape in this standoff. Reuters+2AP News+2
Promises, Precedent, and Proposals
President Trump has pledged that service members will receive back pay once funding is restored — and even hinted at a pay increase. Reuters
In Congress, a bill called the Pay Our Troops Act—introduced by Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.)—seeks to guarantee uninterrupted pay for military personnel, but it has not moved forward yet. Federal News Network+1
Historically, during the 2013 shutdown, lawmakers passed a stand-alone measure to ensure troops were paid. Reuters+2AP News+2
The Human Toll
Service members and their families are already bracing for hardship. Some depend on tight budgets, with little room to absorb missed income. AP News+1
Federal employees supporting defense operations may be furloughed or face pay disruption, even as critical defense and security functions continue. AP News+2AP News+2
What’s Next?
Time is running short. To ensure pay can be processed by Oct. 15, Congress would need to act by October 13 to pass necessary legislation. Reuters+1
As pressure mounts from the public, service members, and advocacy groups, Capitol Hill negotiators may be pushed to resolve the impasse — or risk a historic first: U.S. troops working without pay.