Germany Steps Up to Support U. S. Troops Amid Government Shutdown

The U. S. government shutdown is causing big problems for the military. Over 11, 000 U. S. soldiers in Germany might not get paid. Germany is stepping in to help. They will cover the paychecks of these troops. This is a big deal because Germany has the most U. S. troops of any European country. There are about 35, 000 soldiers stationed there. The shutdown is now in its 22nd day. This is the second-longest shutdown in U. S. history. The longest was in 2018. It lasted 35 days. The Senate is voting again on a funding bill. But Democrats and Republicans can't agree on healthcare provisions. This is causing the shutdown to drag on.President Trump ordered the Pentagon to pay troops. He used leftover military funds. But many people doubt if this is legal. House Speaker Mike Johnson called it a "temporary fix. " It's unclear if the next paychecks will come on time. Germany's move is a show of solidarity. They want to support U. S. forces and their families. The German government expects to be paid back. A trade union in Germany is worried. They think Trump might stop future paychecks. This could break German law. The shutdown is affecting many people. It's not just the military. But Germany's action shows support for U. S. troops. It highlights the importance of international alliances. The situation is complex. But Germany's help is a positive step.