Pentagon Redirects $8 Billion to Fund Troops Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown
The Pentagon is reallocating approximately $8 billion from military research and development accounts to ensure that troops receive payment during the current government shutdown, according to an official from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This funding was made available by Congress for a two-year period. This strategic shift indicates the urgency of addressing troop compensation as lawmakers grapple with the implications of the shutdown, reports 24brussels.
Options under consideration by the White House included pressuring Republican leaders to advance a separate troop pay bill. However, both House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune opposed this approach, despite backing from several Republican legislators. The shutdown further complicates the situation, as many Republicans, particularly those representing districts with military bases, are keen on finding solutions to ensure troops are paid.
Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), who sponsored a bipartisan bill aimed at securing troop payments, expressed support for the Pentagon’s decision. She highlighted the alignment of her “Pay Our Troops Act” with these actions, stating, “This is exactly what my Pay Our Troops Act was aiming to accomplish!” She further called for a resolution to reopen the government.
Despite the urgency, leading Republicans had previously warned against diverting defense funds from other projects already earmarked in the GOP mega-bill. Veterans’ Affairs Chair Mike Bost suggested that the administration should consult with lawmakers before making such funding decisions. He emphasized the need to ensure that active service members do not experience missed paychecks during the shutdown.
White House officials reportedly explored funding troop paychecks using revenue from tariffs. However, such funding shifts could violate the Antideficiency Act, which prohibits federal agencies from spending funds that Congress has not appropriated. Violations can result in severe penalties, including imprisonment for up to two years and fines reaching $5,000.
Top lawmakers have voiced concerns over the legality of funding reallocation during the shutdown. Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro criticized the administration’s actions, stating, “They are violating the law left and right,” and urged fines for such violations. She expressed confidence that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) would challenge any improper shifts in funding during the shutdown.
The GAO has not yet received a request to investigate the current shutdown, nor does it have ongoing work related to this issue. A spokesperson for the agency confirmed their current focus does not encompass the matter at hand.
In a previous ruling, the GAO determined that the Trump administration violated the Antideficiency Act during the 2019 shutdown by improperly reallocating funds, warning that any future infringements would be regarded as “knowing and willful,” potentially leading to prosecution for agency officials. Currently, the GAO maintains that it cannot ascertain if the circumstances mirror those from 2019.
Connor O’Brien and Meredith Lee Hill contributed to this report.
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