House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., was quick to remind all of the ongoing government shutdown’s impact on military service members, warning that the current temporary measures are only a stopgap. The Trump administration has taken the initiative to ensure that active-duty troops are paid for their upcoming payday, even in light of the broader funding impasse across the federal government. Johnson said during a press conference on Wednesday that the administration’s efforts are not a permanent solution. He emphasized that the situation is a political quagmire, and lawmakers must soon take action to resolve it.
Johnson pointed out that the administration’s solution, though effective, is not sustainable. He explained that the temporary relief comes from redirecting funds from research and development accounts in the Pentagon, which are typically used for long-term projects. Johnson said, “The reason that the way they were able to get the troops paid for this paycheck is that there was some unspent funds in, effectively, R&D accounts in the defense department. They moved that over to prioritize payment of those who are putting their lives on the line today.