Tag: Troops

Can DoD use private funds to pay troops during shutdown?

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The Defense Department has received an anonymous $ 130 million donation to fund military salaries amid the ongoing government shutdown, but legal experts warn the Pentagon cannot legally use the funds without congressional approval. President Donald Trump said Thursday that a “friend” offered to cover any shortfall in military pay and had given “a check for $ 130 million, which was sort of a shortfall.” The White House and the Defense Department did not respond to questions about how that $ 130 million figure was determined. On Friday, Chief Pentagon…

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Trump directs the Pentagon to use ‘all available funds’ to ensure troops are paid despite shutdown

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WASHINGTON (AP) — President 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…

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Grassroots campaign puts pressure on Congress to pass ‘Pay Our Troops Act’

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An advocacy group representing service members and their families nationwide has launched a campaign encouraging the public to contact their members of Congress in support of the Pay Our Troops Act of 2026.  The National Military Family Association says more than 10,000 letters have already been sent to Congress through its Military Family Action Center, urging lawmakers to pass the bill that would ensure that troops, Defense Department civilians and Coast Guard members continue to receive pay and benefits during this shutdown. The advocacy group made it easy for the…

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Lawmakers urge Defense Secretary not to erase troops’ historic accomplishments

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In a letter to President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a group of lawmakers is urging the Defense Department to ‘immediately reverse policies’ that they say attempt to erase records of troops’ historic accomplishments. The four lawmakers that signed onto the letter are veterans who serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee. The lawmakers said content about record-breaking combat flight hours by female aviators, medal recipients within segregated combat units during the World Wars, and historical contributions of Native American servicemembers is being removed indiscriminately. Chief Pentagon Spokesman…

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Compromise defense bill to give 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted troops

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The House and Senate Armed Services committees’ compromise defense policy bill released late Saturday night could give junior enlisted service members a 14.5% pay raise next year — a historic pay bump for troops in the ranks of E-1 through E-4.  Under the 2025 defense policy bill, all service members will get a 4.5% pay raise, which will take effect at the beginning of the year. Junior enlisted troops will receive an additional 10% pay bump, which will start in April, according to the legislation. The 14.5% pay raise is…

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