In a decisive move, Speaker Mike Johnson informed House Republicans during a private call on Thursday that he will not advance a standalone bill to ensure troop payments before the October 15 paycheck deadline. Johnson's stance comes amidst mounting pressure from within his party and the looming threat of servicemembers missing their pay due to ongoing legislative gridlock.

According to sources familiar with the call, Johnson has opted to keep the House on a 48-hour recall notice, refusing to reconvene next week unless the Senate acts on a previously passed continuing resolution. This resolution, championed by House Republicans, not only secures pay for troops but also funds air traffic control, flood insurance, and other critical services.

During the call, Johnson urged his colleagues to reinforce the message that the House has fulfilled its duty by passing the comprehensive stopgap bill. He encouraged the use of franking privileges — a method for lawmakers to send mail subsidized by taxpayer funds — to disseminate this information to their constituents.

The Speaker's strategy hinges on maintaining leverage over Senate Democrats, who he believes would reject a standalone troop pay bill, thus forcing them to pass the all-encompassing stopgap measure approved by the House. This move, however, is complicated by President Trump’s assertion that he would ensure military pay irrespective of Congress's actions, with White House officials indicating a willingness to reallocate funds if necessary.

Skepticism about Johnson’s approach exists even within his party. Some Republican senators, including Rand Paul of Kentucky, are believed to support the standalone troop pay bill, contradicting Johnson’s assertions that it would face a blockade in the Senate. Moreover, aides to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have openly disputed Johnson’s claims, suggesting broad support for the standalone bill among Senate Democrats.

As the deadline approaches, the tension underscores a critical divide in strategies to address not only troop pay but broader fiscal responsibilities, raising questions about the potential impacts on U.S. military readiness and domestic programs reliant on uninterrupted funding.