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 Oct. 28.

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 Oct. 28 that U.S. military servicemembers 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.”

The vice president was referring to statements issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and various states warning that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamps, lacks funding and cannot send out benefits to recipients starting on Nov. 1.

“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the USDA said in a statement on its website. “At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01.”

The government shutdown started on Oct. 1 after members of Congress could not come to an agreement on how to fund the government, with Democrats saying any measure to reopen the government requires protections for health care. That includes an extension of subsidies that are due to expire by the end of the year.

But Republicans have said that any negotiations on health care subsidies are a nonstarter until the government is reopened. They’ve likened Democrats’ demands to that of a hostage situation, while Democrats have accused the GOP of wanting to weaken health care protections for Americans.

Just before Vance’s visit, a Senate vote on legislation to reopen the government failed for the 13th time. Republicans need a handful of Democratic senators to break ranks to reach the 60-vote threshold to pass a measure.

However, the shutdown strain is building on Democratic lawmakers to end the impasse.

That was magnified by the nation’s largest federal employee union, which on Oct. 27 called on Congress to immediately pass a funding bill and ensure that workers receive full pay. Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, said the two political parties have made their point and called on Democrats to support a GOP-led funding bill.

“Today I’m making mine: it’s time to pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown today. No half measures, and no gamesmanship,“ Kelley said. ”Put every single federal worker back on the job with full back pay—today.”

Kelley, whose union represents more than 800,000 federal employees—many of whom are furloughed during the shutdown—then called on leaders of Congress to “reopen the government immediately under a clean continuing resolution that allows continued debate on larger issues.”

Republicans have said that the shutdown needs to end because millions of Americans are likely to experience the difficulties firsthand starting this week.

“This week, more than any other week, the consequences become impossible to ignore,” Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), chair of the House Republican Conference, said at a press conference.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an interview over the past weekend that the federal government may not be able to pay the troops on Nov. 15, coming after an anonymous donor gave $130 million to pay the troops during this pay period.

The Epoch Times contacted the White House for comment but did not receive a response by publication time.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.