If Congress does not come to a deal to fund the government in the coming days, several paydays for military members, congressional staffers, and federal employees could pass.

By Wednesday, Oct. 15, more than 2 million active-duty military members will miss their first paychecks due to Congress failing to pass a 2026 defense appropriations bill that authorizes their salaries. In previous shutdowns under President Donald Trump’s first term, Congress had already funded the military or passed separate legislation to ensure troop pay continued uninterrupted.

Later this month, by Oct. 20 and Oct. 30, respectively, Senate and House staffers will have missed their paychecks, as their lawmaker bosses continue to get paid.

The House has been on recess for three weeks as an estimated 750,000

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