GOP faces mounting pressure to pay troops during shutdown

Benjamin Weiss

WASHINGTON (CN) — House Speaker Mike Johnson on Thursday again refused to consider legislation that would ensure members of the U.S. military are paid during the government shutdown, bucking an emotional plea from the Republican spouse of one such service member.

With the shutdown threatening to drag into a third week, concerns have mounted about whether service members could miss a paycheck due Oct. 15. It would be the first time in more than a decade that troops have gone without pay during a government shutdown.

But while Congress has previously passed legislation to front military pay during government shutdowns, Johnson has slammed the door on the idea as Republicans pin the blame on Democrats for the lapse in federal funds. Though the House speaker signaled earlier