Donald Trump ordered on Saturday that the US military receive their salary next Wednesday, despite the current budget paralysis that normally forces millions of federal employees to not pay salaries while the blockade lasts.
The impasse continues in Congress between Republicans and Democrats, who have been unable to agree on a budget for more than a week, which has caused this “closure.” Elected officials of both parties have remained firm in their positions since October 1 and the beginning of this blockade that resulted in the technical unemployment of more than 700,000 federal officials in functions considered non-essential.
During the closure, the more than 2.3 million federal officials are not paid – not even those who must continue working -, as are the more than 1.3 million military personnel.
Disagreement over 2025 budget extension
Each political party blames each other for the crisis, and Donald Trump’s message on Saturday is part of this political communication battle.
“If nothing is done thanks to “leader” Chuck Schumer and the Democrats, our brave soldiers will lose their pay on October 15,” said the Republican.
In Congress, Republicans propose an expansion of the current budget, with the same spending levels, while Democrats call for an expansion of subsidies for health insurance programs for low-income households.
Due to current rules in the Senate, several Democratic votes are needed to pass a budget, despite the Republican majority. But Donald Trump rejects any negotiation with the opposition on health matters without the “reopening” of the federal state as a prerequisite.
The White House announced on Friday that it had begun firing federal officials, a threat against Democrats that Donald Trump had been brandishing for several days.
Source: BFM TV
