Story perspectives

Trump Authorizes $8 Billion to Pay Troops Amid Shutdown

10/13/2025

Center

Trump Funds Troops

President Trump directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to use all available funds to pay U.S. troops on October 15, despite the ongoing government shutdown.
About $8 billion would be reallocated from Pentagon research and development accounts to cover salaries.
Federal workers typically receive back pay after a shutdown, but Trump suggested he may not guarantee this for them.
Lawmakers question whether the fund shifting complies with the Antideficiency Act.

Right

Veterans Urge Funding

House Republican veterans urged Senate Democrats to back a funding bill to prevent troop pay gaps.
The House passed a Continuing Resolution on September 19, preserving fiscal year 2025 spending levels and buying time.
The Senate has rejected the measure multiple times, with Democrats seeking enhanced Obamacare subsidies in any deal.
The Senate must act quickly as military paychecks are due on October 15.

Left

Government Shutdown Impact

The government shutdown is curtailing medical services and causing veterans to lose access to benefits.
Federal employees, including at the CDC, face furloughs and reduced pay, causing financial strain.
Farmers struggle to secure loans and plan for the next planting season amid the trade war and uncertainty over federal aid.
The IRS has laid off half its staff, risking delays in tax processing and construction projects while Congress negotiates funding.

History

Historical Context

The Antideficiency Act, enacted in 1884, restricts federal spending without congressional approval to prevent overspending. This law emerged after the Civil War to curb abuses by federal agencies. Current funding disputes, such as President Trump's reallocation of $8 billion from Pentagon accounts during a government shutdown, reflect ongoing tensions in fiscal management and threaten essential services and employee protections.

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Trump Funds Troops

President Trump directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to use all available funds to pay U.S. troops on October 15, despite the ongoing government shutdown.
About $8 billion would be reallocated from Pentagon research and development accounts to cover salaries.
Federal workers typically receive back pay after a shutdown, but Trump suggested he may not guarantee this for them.
Lawmakers question whether the fund shifting complies with the Antideficiency Act.

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