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Welcome to The Logoff: The Trump administration goes to extraordinary — and certain unlawful — measures to pay members of the US army as a federal authorities shutdown stretches on.
What’s taking place? Immediately is payday for the army, and beneath strange circumstances, they’d miss a paycheck for the primary time ever due to the federal government shutdown, now in its third week. As an alternative, the Trump administration says it’s repurposing already-appropriated Protection Division funds to pay troopers.
What’s the context? Army pay is only one approach the Trump administration is circumventing some penalties of a shutdown; the administration can also be utilizing tariff income to fund a key diet program for low-income dad and mom and youngsters.
For tens of millions of different federal employees, nevertheless, the persevering with shutdown means no paychecks and potential monetary peril.
Why does this matter? In earlier shutdowns, army pay has grow to be a ache level that may power lawmakers to return to the desk and reopen the federal government — or no less than go a standalone invoice to pay servicemembers. Which will nonetheless occur if the shutdown continues, as a result of it’s unclear how a lot extra cash DOD can discover to maintain issuing paychecks. However no less than for now, it lets lawmakers punt on the problem.
President Donald Trump’s maneuver additionally underscores the issue Democrats have with voting to fund the federal government. The precise problem — paychecks for troops — has clear bipartisan assist, however the methodology — transferring round congressionally appropriated {dollars} at will — is unlikely to spice up Democratic confidence that the administration will persist with the phrases of any new funding deal.
What’s the massive image? This isn’t simply concerning the shutdown. By discovering a solution to pay the troops with out involving Congress, Trump is encroaching on the constitutional energy of the purse that’s explicitly reserved for Congress alone. On the similar time, Trump can also be holding up congressionally appropriated funding when he desires. It’s an end-run round Congress from each instructions, and an unprecedented focus of energy for a US president.
And with that, it’s time to log out…
The Seattle Mariners, two wins away from a first-ever American League pennant, are enjoying at dwelling tonight. It’s already been a sensational postseason for the group, with massive performances within the clutch — together with from Humpy, the group’s hard-luck salmon mascot.
As Yahoo Sports activities’s Jake Mintz chronicles, Humpy — so named for the humpback salmon, alongside along with his comrades King Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, and Silver Salmon — was winless within the group’s home-game mascot races till final week. Then, on Friday evening, 15 innings deep, he lastly gained, and the ballpark went loopy. You’ll be able to learn the complete piece right here. Go Humpy, go M’s, and have an ideal night!
