Republican Congressman Zach Nunn of Ankeny says President Trump’s move to pay US soldiers who are on active duty this week was just a temporary fix. Nunn says if the government shutdown doesn’t end soon, soldiers and airmen won’t get a paycheck at the end of the month.
“We have a reality before us where 1.5 million troops are on pins and needles of whether they are going to be able to feed their family marching forward,” Nunn said.
Trump directed the Pentagon to use about eight BILLION dollars of unused federal research funds for military pay this week, including members of the Guard and Reserve who are on active duty. Nunn, who joined House Republicans at a news conference in Washington, D.C., notes reservists and Guard members who are not on active duty didn’t get paid.
“15,000 National Guardsmen from Iowa were in danger of not being able to decide whether to put a down payment on a new car or being able to put food in the refrigerator,” Nunn said.
Nunn says Senate Democrats need back down and approve the plan House Republicans passed in January to keep the government open through November 21st. Democrats are demanding that the package include an extension of tax credits for health insurance purchased on the Affordable Care Act Marketplace. The top Democrat in the House says Democrats are willing to negotiate with House Republicans, but haven’t been able to do so because the House hasn’t convened this month.
