2:10House Speaker Mike Johnson addresses a press conference at the U.S. Capitol during the ninth day of the federal government impasse, October 9, 2025, in Washington.Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
In a unique appearance on C-SPAN this Thursday, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson was addressed by a military mother who pleaded with him to reconvene the House to approve a separate piece of legislation that would provide pay to military personnel during the government cessation.
The caller was identified as "Samantha" — a Republican residing in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, who expressed she’s "greatly disappointed" with the GOP regarding the standstill.
She stated that her "children might not survive" if her household undergoes a salary disruption on October 15.
Should a government impasse persist into the coming week, and if Congress fails to enact a measure to compensate the troops or reopen the government, that specific date will represent the first occasion in recent times where military personnel have missed their compensation amid a shutdown.
“I find it reprehensible, and the gall of anyone earning a six-figure income to inflict this upon military families is outrageous,” Samantha communicated to Johnson.
She admitted to feeling "very unstable" concerning the circumstance.
"I simply desire for you to comprehend a fraction of my family’s reality. I have two children with delicate health. My husband is actively serving our nation. He is afflicted with PTSD resulting from his two deployments in Afghanistan," she conveyed during the dialogue. "If a break in compensation occurs on the 15th, my children will be unable to obtain the medications essential for their survival, as we depend on each paycheck to cover our expenses."
She urged Johnson concerning the independent bill.
"I implore you to ratify this law. My children are in mortal danger," Samantha expressed. "We lack the necessary credit due to the recurring medical expenses I must cover. You possess the capacity to halt this, and you could emerge as the individual who ensures that the military receives its due compensation."
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks during a news conference at the US Capitol on the ninth day of the federal government shutdown, October 9, 2025, in Washington.Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
The speaker — a member of the GOP — voiced understanding for Samantha and her loved ones.
"Samantha, I am deeply saddened to hear about your plight," Johnson responded, adding that narratives such as hers are "what occupies my thoughts at night."
"The motive behind my agitation this week, for which the media has criticized me — 'Johnson is incensed.' I am indeed angry due to situations mirroring yours," the speaker stated.
Nevertheless, when questioned during a press briefing at the Capitol this Wednesday about whether he would summon the House back into session and introduce a bill to the floor to compensate military personnel if the shutdown extends into the subsequent week, Johnson hinted that he would abstain from doing so.
“We already conducted that vote. It’s termed the [continuing resolution],” Johnson asserted at the press conference, alluding to the House GOP interim bill intended to finance the government until November 21. The aforementioned measure has been unable to gain traction in the Senate.
Johnson also referenced the continuing resolution during his discourse with Samantha, asserting that another vote on the floor to compensate the troops would similarly fail within the Senate.
"We held a vote to provide compensation to the troops. It was the continuing resolution three weeks prior. Every Republican, save for two, cast their vote to maintain governmental operations and ensure that your compensation continued. Every Democrat within the House, with the exception of one, voted to instigate the shutdown. The Democrats are the ones preventing you from receiving your payment," Johnson declared.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
