Scott Bessent Warns of Payment Delays for Military Soldiers
(MENAFN) US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned on Sunday that the United States may encounter challenges in compensating its service members by mid-November if the ongoing government shutdown continues.
In an interview with a news agency, Bessent explained that while military employees were temporarily paid from surplus funds at the Pentagon earlier this month, the situation would change soon.
“We were able to pay the military employees from excess funds at the Pentagon, middle of this month. I think we’ll be able to pay them beginning in November,” he stated. However, he expressed concern for the future, adding, “But by Nov. 15, our troops and service members who are willing to risk their lives aren’t going to be able to get paid. What an embarrassment.”
In a related development, the Defense Department disclosed on Friday that the administration would rely on a generous $130 million contribution from an anonymous donor who is a supporter of President Donald Trump to help pay military personnel.
"He’s obviously a very substantial man, and he contributed $130 million for the military in order to make up any difference, so he wanted to see the military get paid. So did I. And he’s a wonderful man," President Trump commented, praising the donor for their substantial gesture.
Meanwhile, Senate Democrats blocked a Republican-led proposal on Thursday that aimed to provide pay for active-duty military members and other essential federal workers impacted by the government shutdown.
The bill failed to pass after a mostly partisan vote of 54-45, falling short of the 60 votes needed to move forward.
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