Government shutdown will stretch into another week as thousands of federal workers face layoffs
When House Speaker Mike Johnson responded to questions Thursday about the C-SPAN shutdown, a self-described Republican mother and military wife said the health of her two children was at risk and urged him to call the House back into session to pass a bill to pay the military.
“I have two medically fragile children,” said the caller, who identified herself as Samantha, originally from Northern Virginia. “I have a husband who is actively serving this country. He suffers from PTSD from his two tours in Afghanistan. If we see a loss of pay on (October) 15th, my children will not receive the medications they need to live their lives because we are living paycheck to paycheck.”
She noted that President Trump has supported the idea of passing a standalone bill — even though the president said Wednesday that Congress has plenty of time to do it: “A week to me is a long time,” he said. “We’ll take care of it.”
For now, however, the military may not receive their salaries next Wednesday.
The caller told Johnson “you have the authority” to recall the House and pass a standalone bill.
“And as a Republican, I’m very disappointed in my party, and I’m very disappointed in you,” she said.
“I implore you to pass this legislation,” she continued. “My children could die. We have no credit because of the medical bills I have to pay regularly. You could stop this.”
Johnson listened quietly as she spoke, occasionally nodding.
“Samantha, I’m so sorry to hear about your situation,” Johnson said, adding that stories like hers keep her “up at night.”
So far, the speaker has not expressed willingness to pass a separate bill to continue paying the military.
