As the U.S. government shutdown extends, President Donald Trump’s administration is exploring various strategies to ensure that military personnel receive their paychecks, according to two White House officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The shutdown threatens to disrupt the scheduled October 15 pay for active-duty members, prompting urgent discussions on possible financial remedies.

Options on the table include reallocating existing funds or compelling GOP leaders to introduce a standalone military pay bill in Congress. "The president has been clear that he is going to pay the troops,” one of the officials emphasized, highlighting the administration's commitment to maintaining military financial stability amid political turmoil.

During a recent interaction with reporters, President Trump seemed inclined to support Congressional action, stating, “Probably,” when asked if he would urge Congress to pass a standalone troop pay bill. He reassured the public and military families, declaring, “Our military will always be taken care of.”

However, the path to securing military pay is complicated by political deadlock. Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune have resisted the idea of a separate troop pay bill, arguing that Democrats should cease blocking the stopgap funding measure previously approved by the House. Their stance forces the administration to consider unilateral actions or more aggressive legislative pushes.

Johnson expressed frustration with the ongoing partisan conflicts, saying, “I’m so sick of them playing politics.” He plans to discuss the situation further with House Republicans in a scheduled call, where the issue of troop pay is likely to be a significant topic. This meeting follows public pressure from Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), who has been vocal about the necessity of immediate legislative action to secure troop salaries.

On the Democratic side, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has expressed support for a standalone troop pay bill, which he believes would pass with substantial support from his party, according to sources familiar with the discussions among House Democratic leaders.

As both parties navigate this impasse, the coming days are crucial for determining how the U.S. government will address the financial uncertainties facing its military personnel, with both strategic reallocations and legislative actions being considered as viable solutions to prevent any disruption in military pay.