Vance Says Troops Will Be Paid for Now as Pressure Builds on Congress to End Shutdown

A Senate vote on legislation to reopen the government failed for the 13th time on Tuesday.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the Civilian Military Coordination Center in Israel on Oct. 21, 2025. Fadel Senna/AFP/Getty Images

Vice President JD Vance said on Tuesday that U.S. military service members will be paid “for now” amid the ongoing government shutdown.

“We do think that we can continue paying the troops, at least for now,” Vance told reporters at the Capitol after he met with Senate Republicans. “We’ve got food stamp benefits that are set to run out in a week. We’re trying to keep as much open as possible. We just need the Democrats to actually help us out.”