Democrats Divided On Trump’s Method To Pay Troops Due To Schumer Shutdown

Democratic lawmakers are divided over President Donald Trump’s decision to tap unspent defense funds to ensure troops don’t miss pay during the shutdown.

Although some Democrats spoke out against Trump’s decision to pay the military using previously appropriated funds, several congressional Democrats said the president’s decision was good news. Nearly all Democrats surveyed by the Daily Caller News Foundation voted against a bipartisan funding measure that would have avoided a disruption in government funding — and troop pay. (RELATED: Democrats say they’re not responsible for troops’ unpaid work during Schumer’s shutdown)

“First and foremost, we need to pay the military,” Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, told DCNF.But he does it, as in many other areas, by simply moving money illegally. »

“They are a lawless administration – since January – that is illegally taking funds,” DeLauro continued. “They continue to do this. This must stop. And that’s, you know, part of what this debate is about.

Several Democratic senators, who have repeatedly voted against reopening the government, echoed DeLauro’s comments on Wednesday.

“This is part of a long list of what many people consider to be illegal activities,” Colorado Democratic Sen. John Hickenlooper told DCNF. “I expect this won’t be pursued in court, but I totally feel this is another illegal activity.”

WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 12: U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO) speaks to the press on February 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. By 52 votes to 48, the Senate confirmed his nomination. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)

“There’s a question about whether this is feasible or not. We all want to pay our troops. The best way to do that is to reopen the government,” Maryland Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen told the DCNF after voting against legislation ending the shutdown Wednesday afternoon.

The funding gap reached its 15th day on Wednesday and continues with no solution in sight.

The US military was expected to go unpaid for the first time in American history if the president had not intervened. The War Department will transfer $8 billion in congressionally appropriated funds intended for research and development to cover troop salaries during the next pay period, according to multiple reports.

Republicans widely welcomed the president’s decision to reorganize unused Pentagon funding to prevent troops from losing pay.

“I don’t know exactly how the president does it, but I’m glad our military gets paid and we can sort it out later,” Louisiana Republican Sen. John Kennedy told DCNF.

“I“If Congress isn’t going to do its job, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with them stepping in to do it, and I applaud them for doing it,” said Idaho Republican Sen. Jim Risch. “The troops must be paid.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday called Democrats “despicable and heartless” for calling the president’s decision to pay the troops illegal.

However, a considerable number of Democrats approved of the president’s decision to fund troop pay during the extended shutdown.

“I agree with that,” Virginia Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine told the DCNF. “I I want you to know what won’t be done using this amount of money he used to pay the troops. But again, reconciliation money can be used for this purpose. So I agree with that.

“Frankly, the House is on paid recess, and so the prospect of moving legislation there seems dim,” Connecticut Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal told DCNF. “And in the meantime, I will support the president in effectively using his emergency powers.”

Speaker Mike Johnson has consistently defended his decision to keep the House in session during the shutdown, arguing that lawmakers did their job by passing a clean bipartisan funding measure in September.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and the majority of his caucus rejected the House-passed bill for the ninth time Wednesday afternoon.

Other Democrats who have expressed support for paying troops during the shutdown have not mentioned Trump by name. They also did not say whether they thought the president’s decision to use unspent funds to cover military pay was within his authority.

‘“We all want our troops to be paid,” Washington Democratic Sen. Patty Murray, a frequent critic of the Trump administration’s spending choices, told DCNF.

“I want to make sure our brave soldiers are protected when they are in danger,” said Democratic Oregon Senator Ron Wyden.

Andi Shae Napier and Caden Olson contributed to this report.

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