Bessent: Troops Won’t Be Paid After Nov. 15 if Shutdown Continues

The United States will not be able to pay service members by the middle of next month if the government shutdown continues, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CBS News’ “Face The Nation” on Sunday.

“We were able to pay the military employees from excess funds at the Pentagon, middle of this month. I think we’ll be able to pay them beginning in November,” Bessent said. “But by Nov. 15, our troops and service members who are willing to risk their lives aren’t going to be able to get paid. What an embarrassment.”

Bessent emphasized that “it’s a global embarrassment what these Democratic senators are doing – keeping the government shut down. I mean, look at the numbers. It’s 52 to three, 52 Republican senators. Three Democratic senators have come across the line. So I just think it’s an embarrassment.”