For the First Time in U.S. History, Active-Duty Troops Face Missed Paychecks Amid Schumer-Led Shutdown

For the first time in U.S. history, active-duty military members face the possibility of missing a paycheck as the government shutdown enters its second week. Republican leaders blame Senate Democrats for refusing to pass a clean funding bill.

Approximately 1.3 million troops have continued reporting for duty since the shutdown began on October 1, but the Pentagon warned that paychecks scheduled for next week could be delayed if Congress does not act quickly to restore funding.

Senate Democrats, led by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, have rejected a House-passed continuing resolution, demanding additional spending measures that Republicans oppose. Both parties blame each other for the stalemate, with Republicans claiming Democrats are prolonging the shutdown for political gain.

House Speaker Mike Johnson warned that federal workers have already received only partial pay and that service members could miss a full paycheck if the shutdown continues past October 15. Senate Minority Whip John Thune called a lapse in military pay “beyond the pale” and “unacceptable.”

President Trump is reportedly reviewing emergency options to ensure service members are paid despite the funding gap. Charitable organizations, including Blue Star Families and Army Emergency Relief, have seen record demand for financial assistance from military families.

Kathy Roth-Douquet of Blue Star Families noted that fewer than one in three military households have $3,000 in emergency savings. Army Emergency Relief has approved over $7 million in aid, while the Air Force’s relief fund has received thousands of new applications.

Despite Democratic claims that Republicans are responsible, nearly all House Democrats have voted against the clean stopgap funding bill. Republican leaders urge Democrats to break from party lines to pass the measure and end the shutdown, which continues to threaten paychecks and livelihoods across the country.