Rep. Ken Calvert, the House Republican in charge of defense funding, has thrown his weight behind a bipartisan bill that would ensure military personnel receive pay during the government shutdown. This move comes amid growing pressure within the GOP ranks, as several senior Republicans including National Republican Congressional Committee Chair Richard Hudson and House Administration Chair Bryan Steil have joined as co-sponsors, bringing the total to 148, with 104 being Republicans.
Calvert’s support is particularly notable as he leads the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, which oversees the annual funding bill for military operations. In a social media post, Calvert emphasized his commitment to paying troops, stating, “Unlike every California Democrat in Congress, I voted to pay our troops, our TSA agents, and federal law enforcement.” This sentiment highlights the personal stake of many Republicans in the ongoing standoff, especially as the Oct. 31 deadline for the first missed paycheck looms.
Congressional GOP leaders, however, remain firm in their stance, insisting that they will not allow a vote on the troop pay bill unless Democrats agree to fully reopen the government. Speaker Mike Johnson has refused to bring the House back from its recess to vote on the bill ahead of the first military paycheck deadline. Johnson also declined to consider a unanimous consent vote on the issue, dismissing the notion that such a move could be achieved.
House Democratic leadership, on the other hand, believes a standalone troop pay measure would pass with substantial Democratic support if brought to the floor. As many as 70 House Democrats are preparing a letter to Johnson calling for such a vote, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also supporting the effort. Meanwhile, White House officials are exploring options for President Donald Trump to redirect funds to pay troops without congressional action, as reported by POLITICO.