Government Shutdown Enters Record Fourth Week as Military Pay Dispute Deepens

As the U.S. government shutdown extends into its third week, President Donald Trump has authorized the Pentagon and White House to use leftover Congressional funds to pay active-duty military personnel, a move that has raised concerns among some Republican lawmakers for bypassing the required Congressional approval process known as reprogramming. This unilateral action was intended to address the issue of unpaid troops amid a prolonged shutdown that has become the second-longest in history, but it has drawn criticism from Senators Jerry Moran and Lisa Murkowski for not respecting legal and constitutional procedures. Meanwhile, Senate efforts to pass legislation ensuring pay for troops and federal workers have repeatedly failed, with Democrats opposing piecemeal funding measures and demanding full payment for all government employees. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer led Democrats in blocking an $852 billion defense appropriations bill, using military funding as leverage to push for concessions on social programs, which Republicans argue is unrelated to defense needs. The deadlock has resulted in tens of thousands of service members going unpaid, with President Trump and some Republicans calling for immediate payment while Democrats insist on comprehensive solutions. Public opinion holds both parties responsible for the shutdown, which has also raised concerns about the impact on military readiness and federal workers' livelihoods.