Trump Administration Repurposes Funds to Pay Military Amid Shutdown
The Trump administration has announced plans to use already-appropriated Defense Department funds to pay members of the US military as a federal government shutdown stretches into its third week. This move is seen as an extraordinary and likely illegal measure by some lawmakers, who argue it circumvents congressional approval.
According to sources within the Pentagon, the plan involves redirecting $3 billion in previously allocated funds to cover the salaries of active-duty personnel. The move is intended to prevent a first-ever missed paycheck for military members, which would have occurred due to the ongoing shutdown.
"We're doing everything we can to ensure our troops get paid," said a senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity. "We understand the importance of their compensation and are taking steps to address this issue."
However, some lawmakers have expressed concerns about the legality of the move. "This is a clear abuse of executive power," said Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee. "The administration is trying to circumvent congressional approval by using existing funds in an unauthorized manner."
Others argue that the plan may not be as straightforward as it seems. "While we appreciate the effort to keep troops paid, this move raises questions about the long-term implications for military funding," said Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.
The government shutdown, now in its 21st day, has left hundreds of thousands of federal employees without pay. The Trump administration has maintained that it is willing to negotiate with Democrats on border security measures, but a deal remains elusive.
As the situation continues to unfold, lawmakers and experts will be closely watching the administration's actions to determine whether this move sets a precedent for future budget decisions.
Background:
The federal government shutdown began on October 1, 2019, after President Trump refused to sign a spending bill without funding for his border wall. The shutdown has resulted in significant disruptions to government services and economic losses estimated in the billions of dollars.
Additional Perspectives:
Some experts argue that the administration's plan may be seen as a necessary measure to prevent harm to military personnel. "The administration is trying to mitigate the impact of the shutdown on our troops," said Dr. Brian Sullivan, a defense policy expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "While it's unclear whether this move is legal, it's clear that something had to be done."
Others warn that the plan may have unintended consequences for military funding in the long term. "This move could set a precedent for future budget decisions," said Rep. Smith. "We need to ensure that our troops are paid on time and that we're not sacrificing their compensation for short-term political gains."
*Reporting by Vox.*
