(NEXSTAR) - As the government shutdown enters its third week, President Trump wants one pain point to be avoided through a plan to pay the troops, but Congress is still no closer to a deal that would fund federal agencies.

More than a million active-duty service members might expect to be paid Wednesday despite the government shutdown. That's after President Trump directed Secretary Pete Hegseth "to use all available funds to get our Troops PAID," in a post on Truth Social.

"Truly, truly grateful for a hands on commander-in-chief," House Speaker Mike Johnson said.

Some legislators, meanwhile, doubt that Trump's directive to reallocate funds for paychecks is legal, or if it could even come to fruition in time for Oct. 15.

“I think to pay the military during a shutdown would require legi

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