Pentagon to use R&D money to pay troops during government shutdown
Personal Finance
Fortune

Pentagon to use R&D money to pay troops during government shutdown

Why This Matters

A spokesperson for the White House Office of Management and Budget said Pentagon research and development funds would be used to pay the salaries.

October 11, 2025
08:04 PM
4 min read
AI Enhanced

·MilitaryPentagon to use R&D money to pay troops during government shutdownBy Darlene SupervilleBy The Associated PressBy Darlene SupervilleBy The Associated Press Members of the Texas National Guard assemble in Elwood, Illinois, at the Army Reserve Training Center in the southwest suburb of Chicago, on Tuesday.Brian Cassella—Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty ImagesPresident Donald Trump said Saturday that he has directed the Defense Department to use “all available funds” to ensure U.S.

troops are paid Wednesday despite the government shutdown, a short-term fix that will not apply to the hundreds of thousands of federal workers who have been furloughed.

Trump said in a social media post that he was acting because “our Brave Troops will miss the paychecks they are rightfully due on October 15th.” The Republican president’s directive removes one of the pressure points that could have forced Congress into action, ly ensuring that the shutdown — now in its 11th day and counting — extends into a third week and possibly beyond.

But no similar action seems forthcoming for federal employees also working without pay while thousands are now being laid offduring the lapse in government operations.

The White House budget office started the layoffs on Friday.

Trump blamed Democrats and said he was exercising his authority as commander in chief to direct Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth “to use all available funds to get our Troops PAID on October 15th.” The Republican president added, “We have identified funds to do this, and Secretary Hegseth will use them to PAY OUR TROOPS.” U.S service members were in danger of not receiving their next paycheck on Wednesday after the government shut down on Oct.

1, the start of the federal budget cycle. The U.S.

has 1.3 million active-duty service members, and the spect of troops going without pay has been a focal point when lawmakers on Capitol Hill have discussed the shutdown’s negative impact.

Trump did not say where he’s getting the money.

One possible source would be the billions of dollars that were pumped into the Defense Department under Trump’s big tax and spending cut bill that he signed into law in July.

The Congressional Budget Office said such a move was possible.

A spokesperson for the White House Office of Management and Budget said Pentagon re and development funds would be used to pay the salaries.

Federal workers typically receive back pay after a shutdown ends, as now required by a law that Trump signed during his first term. He recently floated the idea of not making up the lost salaries.

It was un if the president’s directive applies to the U.S. Coast Guard, which is a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces but is overseen by the Department of land Security during peacetime.

The nation’s third shutdown in 12 years has again raised anxiety levels among service members and their families as those in uniform are working without pay.

While they would receive back pay once the impasse ends, many military families paycheck to paycheck.

During previous shutdowns, Congress passed legislation to ensure that troops kept earning their salaries, but discussion of taking a similar step by lawmakers appeared to have fizzled out.

Asked earlier this week if he would support a bill to pay the troops, Trump said, “that bably will happen.” “We’ll take care of it,” he said Wednesday.

“Our military is always going to be taken care of.” The shutdown began on Oct.

1 after Democrats rejected a short-term funding fix and demanded that the bill include an extension of federal subsidies for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.

The expiration of those subsidies at the end of the year will result in monthly cost increases for millions of people.

Trump and Republican leaders have said they are open to negotiations on the health subsidies, but insist the government must reopen first.

Both sides appear dug in on their positions, making it un when, or how, the shutdown ends. Fortune Global Forum returns Oct. 26–27, 2025 in Riyadh.

CEOs and global leaders will gather for a dynamic, invitation-only event shaping the future of . Apply for an invitation.

FinancialBooklet Analysis

AI-powered insights based on this specific article

Key Insights

  • The Federal Reserve's actions could influence market sentiment across sectors

Questions to Consider

  • How might the Fed's policy stance affect borrowing costs and economic growth?
  • Do these workforce changes reflect company-specific issues or broader industry challenges?

Stay Ahead of the Market

Get weekly insights into market shifts, investment opportunities, and financial analysis delivered to your inbox.

No spam, unsubscribe anytime