Media: Government shutdown leaves US troops in Germany seeking food aid

US soldiers stationed in Germany may be forced to turn to local food banks as they face the risk of missing their November salaries amid the prolonged US government shutdown.

Around 37,000 American service members deployed in Germany risk missing their November pay, Caliber.Az reports, citing Euronews.

Their October salaries were covered using emergency funds.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that troops could be left without pay if the budget deadlock between Democrats and Republicans continues.

Meanwhile, the US Army has published guidance on its website outlining what service members can turn to in difficult circumstances: emergency social assistance, loans, food banks, and organisations distributing food aid.

It is also noted that German social benefits are largely inaccessible to US military personnel.

US media reports indicate that October salaries were patched together from several stopgap sources, including $2.5 billion from summer tax cut legislation, $1.4 billion reallocated from procurement accounts, and another $1.4 billion from research and development budgets.

Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell told CNN that an anonymous donor contributed $130 million specifically to cover military pay and benefits, with Trump reportedly receiving the sum from a personal acquaintance.

The contribution highlights the financial fragility affecting many service members, as fewer than one in three military families have savings of even $3,000, according to the Blue Star Families initiative.

Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune voiced confidence that lawmakers could reach a budget deal by the end of the week, potentially ending the shutdown that began on 1 October and has already put thousands of federal workers on unpaid leave.

The situation is particularly acute for US soldiers abroad, who are paid on a bi-weekly schedule rather than on Germany’s monthly system, intensifying cash-flow strain as long as the deadlock persists.

By Jeyhun Aghazada