VP Vance says troops will be paid but gives no details as SNAP cuts loom | US | News
Deputy President J. D. Vance He said Tuesday he believed U.S. military members would be paid by the end of the week, but did not specify how the government plans to restructure funding going forward. Second longest government shutdown.
financing fight This has taken on new urgency as millions of Americans face the prospect of losing food aid, more federal workers are missing their first paycheck, and repeated delays at airports are disrupting travel plans.
“We think we can continue to pay the troops, at least for now,” Vance told reporters after lunch with Senate Republicans at the Capitol. “We have food stamp benefits that are going to run out in a week. We’re trying to keep it open as much as possible. We really need Democrats to help us.”
Vance reaffirmed Republicans’ strategy to get a handful of Senate Democrats to vote for temporary funding to reopen the government, but at that point the shutdown had lasted nearly a month.
Just before the Vice President’s visit, Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s 13th attempt to advance the legislation failed once again.
As the government shutdown continues into its fourth week starting Tuesday, millions of Americans are likely to experience these challenges firsthand.
“This week, more than any other, the consequences have been impossible to ignore,” said Rep. Lisa McClain, chair of the House Republican Conference.
1.3 million active-duty service members were at risk of missing a paycheck on Friday, but the Trump administration made sure they were paid by funneling $8 billion in military research and development funds for payroll. But the Vice President did not say Tuesday how soldiers’ salaries would be covered this time.
The administration has ruled out using more than $5 billion in emergency funds to keep aid flowing into November, saying funding for the food aid program that 42 million Americans use to catch up on their grocery bills will run out Friday. The government also said there would be no refunds if states temporarily cover welfare costs next month.
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The Department of Agriculture said the emergency fund is intended to help respond to emergencies such as natural disasters. Democrats say the decision regarding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, goes against the department’s previous guidance on its activities during the shutdown.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer new York He said the administration deliberately chose not to fund SNAP in November, calling it an “act of tyranny.”
