Republicans Could Pay Troops During Trump’s Government Shutdown — But They Refuse Arrow

Donald Trump's top loyalists in Congress, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson, are refusing to pay military personnel and active duty troops during Trump's government shutdown because they would rather protect their billionaire tax breaks.

House Democrats called on Thune and Johnson to take up legislation in a letter, noting service members have been paid in past shutdowns without Congress passing other government funding. Yet Johnson and Thune have made clear they've shut down the government to avoid fixing a health care crisis that will double premiums and could kick nearly 270,000 veterans off their insurance - while letting our men and women in uniform miss paychecks.

This morning, while taking calls on C-SPAN, a military spouse and mother emotionally begged Johnson to bring the House back in session to pass legislation to pay active-duty troops - but he coldheartedly shut it down. She told Johnson that she has "two medically fragile children," and that they live paycheck to paycheck, and she urged Johnson, "I'm begging you to pass this legislation. My kids could die." Instead of committing to paying our troops, Johnson blamed Democrats for urging Republicans to prevent 22 million Americans from seeing their health care premiums rise by 114%.

In response, DNC Chair Ken Martin released the following statement:

"Donald Trump and Mike Johnson are betraying our military men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our country, all because they refuse to do their jobs and support Democrats' common-sense plan to end Trump's government shutdown and make sure that 22 million Americans don't see their health care premiums spike. Ensuring our service members get paid would pass with bipartisan support - but Republicans are too busy digging their heels into the ground and keeping the halls of Congress empty, while Americans pay the price."

WATCH: A Virginia mother's emotional plea to Speaker Mike Johnson.