Trump administration says military members will get paid Friday despite the government shutdown

If the paychecks are delivered, it would be the second time the White House has avoided missing a pay period for troops during the shutdown, now in its 30th day.

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration plans to pay military members Friday by using a mix of legislative and Defense Department funds, according to an official with the White House Office of Management and Budget.

It would be the second time the White House has been able to avoid missing a pay period for troops during the government shutdown, now in its 30th day. Service members are considered essential federal employees and are required to work during funding lapses, but essential workers typically aren't paid during shutdowns.

About $2.5 billion from the military housing fund part of President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, enacted this year, will be tapped for Friday's paychecks, according to the OMB official. In addition, $1.4 billion from the Pentagon's research and development account and $1.4 billion from its procurement account will be used, the official said.

That would bring the total to about $5.3 billion, which is still less than the $6.5 billion that was drawn upon to pay for troops’ paychecks earlier this month. It’s unclear why there’s a difference in the amounts, and the OMB official didn’t respond to a request for comment on that particular point.

Base pay and allowance for the military costs roughly $6.5 billion each pay period, American Enterprise Institute senior fellow Todd Harrison previously told NBC News.