Thune’s Pentagon Pay Plan: Government Shutdown Edition
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is basically juggling flaming swords trying to fund the Pentagon without a full government reopening. Considering dragging the Senate floor through a torturous 'department-by-department' marathon, Thune’s latest move: push a standalone Defense appropriations bill—because why pay everyone when you can theatrically threaten troops' paychecks before Oct. 15? Supported by Susan Collins (R-Maine), who insists we bring 'finished bills immediately to the floor' like a refund line after Black Friday, the GOP hopes Democrats will consent—though Patty Murray (D-Wash.) reminds us it’s not magic: the House has to play ball, and Mike Johnson (R-La.) is busy refusing to bring Republicans back. Spoiler alert: troops might miss paychecks, Congress is hostage in a bipartisan soap opera, and ordinary citizens get front-row seats.
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When your government can’t agree to pay troops but can agree to argue over spending like it’s the Hunger Games, remember: nothing says 'leadership' like threatening everyone’s paycheck for maximum political leverage.
Congress is so good at brinkmanship they might start charging admission. Spoiler: Military pay is the main event, but Senate and House are still stuck in the designated-screaming-at-each-other round.
If the government shutdown were a TV series, Season 2025 would be 'How to Lose a Paycheck in 10 Days,' starring Thom Thune and featuring guest star Mike Johnson's vanishing act.
Source: Axios | Published: 10/8/2025 | Author: Stef W. Kight
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