House GOP blocks Dems’ unanimous‑consent bid for military pay; Johnson says stand‑alone vote ‘pointless’
During a pro‑forma House session, Democrats sought unanimous consent to pass a stand‑alone military pay bill ahead of looming Oct. 15 paychecks, but Rep. Mike Bost gaveled out and the GOP blocked the request. Speaker Mike Johnson said a standalone vote would be "pointless" because Senate Democrats would block it and is maintaining shutdown pressure — canceling votes and keeping the House out until at least Oct. 20 — while the White House says troops will be paid via administrative action even as other federal employees face layoff notices.
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📌 Key Facts
- During a House pro forma session Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D‑Md.) sought unanimous consent to pass a stand‑alone military pay bill, but House Veterans’ Affairs Chair Mike Bost (R‑Ill.) gaveled out and blocked the request.
- Democrats emphasized that Oct. 15 is a looming deadline for missed military paychecks as urgency for action.
- Speaker Mike Johnson said a stand‑alone military‑pay vote would be a "pointless exercise" because Senate Democrats would block it, and on a Thursday conference call reiterated he would not bring up a standalone bill, calling it Democratic political cover.
- Johnson is maintaining a shutdown‑pressure strategy even as some House Republicans express unease; he canceled another week of votes and the House will not return until Oct. 20 at the earliest.
- House GOP leaders framed the Democrats’ floor maneuver as a political stunt (Majority Whip Tom Emmer), and Johnson noted Senate Democrats have rejected the House continuing resolution multiple times while citing the number of people affected (roughly 2 million civilian workers and 1.3 million active‑duty troops).
- The President directed administrative action to ensure troops are paid on Oct. 15, and CBO guidance is cited as supporting that mandatory funds could cover active‑duty pay during a shutdown.
- OMB began issuing layoff notices on Oct. 10 to other federal employees, who remain set to miss paychecks if funding is not restored.
📰 Sources (5)
Trump says U.S. troops will be paid despite government shutdown
New information:
- Administrative action, not legislation, will be used to pay troops on Oct. 15, as directed by the President.
- CBO guidance is cited as support that mandatory funds could cover active-duty pay during a shutdown.
- OMB began layoff notices on Oct. 10 for other federal employees, who are still set to miss paychecks.
House GOP blocks Dems' military pay bill as government shutdown threatens checks
New information:
- Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D‑Md.) attempted a unanimous‑consent request to pass a stand‑alone military pay bill during a House pro forma session.
- House Veterans’ Affairs Chair Mike Bost (R‑Ill.), presiding, gaveled out before Elfreth finished, blocking the request.
- Speaker Mike Johnson said a stand‑alone vote would be a 'pointless exercise' because Senate Democrats would block it.
- Johnson asserted Senate Democrats have rejected the House CR seven times and cited affected groups (e.g., 2 million civilian workers and 1.3 million active‑duty troops).
- House Majority Whip Tom Emmer called Democrats’ floor maneuver a political stunt.
Democrats fume as Mike Johnson cancels more House votes: "They should be ashamed"
New information:
- Despite calls for a standalone measure, Johnson canceled another week of votes and the House will not return until Oct. 20 at the earliest.
- A Democratic attempt to clear a troop‑pay bill by unanimous consent during a pro forma session was blocked as Rep. Mike Bost gaveled out.
- Democrats emphasized looming Oct. 15 missed military paychecks as urgency for action.
Johnson turns up shutdown pressure on Democrats as GOP unease grows
New information:
- On a Thursday conference call, Johnson again told Republicans he would not bring up a standalone military pay bill, framing it as Democratic political cover.
- Context that Johnson is maintaining shutdown pressure strategy while some GOP members voice concern about optics and want the House back in session.