The Army is operating paycheck to paycheck

Last month, we wrote about a looming budgetary crisis, which threatened to stop soldiers’ pay after June 15. It all stems from the emergency war supplemental funding bill, which Congress has refused to pass over key disagreements. The Pentagon calls it appalling that soldiers could not be paid because of politics. Back then, I thought that Congress and the Pentagon would posture until the last minute, and the crisis would be averted.  As it turns it, this game will instead be prolonged.

Congress has now said the Pentagon can move money from Air Force and Navy personnel accounts over to the Army so that the paychecks could go out this week, which solves part of the problem. It will allow the military to pay the Army through the end of this month, Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell announced today. He added though that the military still needs $102 billion. So right now, no one knows whether the military can pay next’s month salaries.

Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England sent a memo around the department asking for ideas in case it comes to that point, yet the military said it is confident it won’t come to this point.

For now, the U.S. Army carries on, paycheck to paycheck.

Comments

[Laura]

Recalling a bumper sticker from long ago, I suggest they consider a bake sale.

[Charles]

Here's an idea for Bush: Stop blocking increases in benefits for the veterans you profess to support and sign the bill.

If the Pentagon can't find the money to pay the troops, then they are most certainly the worst managers in world history. They have $700 Billion this year and if they can't make a payroll then how stupid are they?

[Phill]

If the bake sale doesn't work perhaps a silent auction of some surplus items....how about all those F-117's the USAF doesn't "need" anymore.

[JamesJr]

Aren't we all living paycheck-to-paycheck under the neo-con experiment? My real wages - and I am in the top 5% (that's about 6 million families making a combined $180,000 or so - and we do it with 4 jobs between us)have risen about 1% under the Bush Regime. Those in the top one-tenth of one percent have seen their income - not including capital gains - go up by about 22%.
Sad to see the Army's sharing the pain under these clowns. Oh wait - they support the troops.
Keep up the great work!

[JamesJr]

Aren't we all living paycheck-to-paycheck under the neo-con experiment? My real wages - and I am in the top 5% (that's about 6 million families making a combined $180,000 or so - and we do it with 4 jobs between us)have risen about 1% under the Bush Regime. Those in the top one-tenth of one percent have seen their income - not including capital gains - go up by about 22%.
Sad to see the Army's sharing the pain under these clowns. Oh wait - they support the troops.
Keep up the great work!

[JCD]

Congress has passed this legislation. The President has refused to sign it. That's a key difference from what you are claiming. If you want the money, take it up with the "Commander in Chief". That's where the blockage is.

[rootless-e]

It all stems from the emergency war supplemental funding bill, which Congress has refused to pass over key disagreements.

Actually, Congress has passed a bill and the President has refused to sign it.

Why do you "report" fiction?