Story perspectives

Day 26 of Shutdown: Military Pay at Risk Amid Divided Congress

10/27/2025

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. government shutdown is on day 26, one of the longest in history, disrupting federal workers and military pay.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that military personnel could miss paychecks by November 15.
An anonymous donor provided $130 million to the Pentagon to cover military salaries, raising questions about private funding.
Congress is divided: Democrats seek healthcare provisions, while Republicans refuse to negotiate until government reopens, worsening funding cliffs.

History

Historical Context

The U.S. government shutdowns of 1995-1996, lasting 21 days, stemmed from conflicts between President Bill Clinton and a Republican Congress over budget cuts. Approximately 800,000 federal workers were furloughed, disrupting services. The ongoing 2025 shutdown, which began on October 1, mirrors this historical event, reflecting persistent partisan divisions and raising concerns about the future of government funding amid increasing reliance on private donations.

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Story summary

The U.S. government shutdown is on day 26, one of the longest in history, disrupting federal workers and military pay.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that military personnel could miss paychecks by November 15.
An anonymous donor provided $130 million to the Pentagon to cover military salaries, raising questions about private funding.
Congress is divided: Democrats seek healthcare provisions, while Republicans refuse to negotiate until government reopens, worsening funding cliffs.

1 / 2