House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., holds a press conference on the fourteenth day of the U.S. government shutdown on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 14, 2025. (Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters)
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., added the bill to the calendar last week, positioning it for a potential vote this week, according to Axios. The outlet noted that House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told reporters that he would bring the bill up for a vote in the House if it passes the Senate.
Jeffries echoed one of Democrats' concerns about the legislation, which is that it does not help furloughed employees.
"My understanding is that that is not a comprehensive bill that actually is designed to reopen the government while at the same time addressing the issues that need to be confronted on behalf of the American people, which include lowering the high cost of living and decisively addressing the Republican healthcare crisis," Jeffries told reporters on Monday.
President Donald Trump speaks to senior military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico on Sept. 30, 2025, in Quantico, Virginia. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
TRUMP INSTRUCTS PENTAGON TO ENSURE TROOPS ARE PAID DESPITE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
President Donald Trump recently bypassed Congress and signed a directive ordering the Department of War to ensure that U.S. troops are paid despite the ongoing shutdown.
The White House said the move is necessary to protect "military readiness" as the budget standoff continued. The order, issued as National Security Presidential Memorandum-8 (NSPM-8), directs the department to use available fiscal year 2026 funds to cover military pay and allowances. Though it is unclear how the Pentagon is reallocating funds to comply with the order.
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While Democrats objected and said the president overstepped, Trump cited his Article II powers as commander-in-chief in issuing the order, which covers active-duty troops and reservists on service orders.
Fox News Digital reached out to Jeffries' office for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Fox News Digital's Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.
Rachel Wolf is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and FOX Business.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/white-house-slams-jeffries-dismissal-bill-pay-troops-government-shutdown-enters-day-22