The Trump administration is seeking alternatives to pay federal law enforcement officers as the government shutdown enters its third week.
With Democrats and Republicans deadlocked over the shutdown, government officials are exploring alternative ways to pay for some key programs, including food programs for women and children.
Meanwhile, U.S. service members will be paid using funds previously allocated to the Department of Defense, per President Donald Trump’s order.
Thousands of federal workers have already been laid off, and Vice President J.D. Vance has warned of further “painful” cuts if the shutdown continues.
The Senate on Tuesday voted for an eighth time to fund the government, but failed to advance the Republicans’ stopgap budget by a vote of 49-45.
It’s unclear how much money would be needed to pay all federal law enforcement officers.
In response to questions from the BBC, a spokesperson for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) confirmed that it was reviewing alternatives to ensure these payments could continue.
Like military personnel, federal law enforcement officers are considered “essential” and are required to report, even if unpaid.
This includes officers from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Border Patrol, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Separately, President Trump wrote on Truth Social on Saturday that he had directed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to use “all available funds” to pay troops on October 15.
President Trump did not provide details about where the money would come from, but an OMB spokesperson told the BBC that the money would come from money previously earmarked for defense research and development available over two years.
About 750,000 federal employees, about 40% of the workforce, have been laid off or sent home without pay so far.
The administration has begun laying off employees at at least seven agencies, totaling 4,000 people to date.
As America’s two political parties continue to blame each other for the shutdowns, the Trump administration says it is exploring new ways to keep some essential services running.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Sunday that she had found an “innovative” way to continue paying Coast Guard members, but did not provide details.
Administration officials also said tariff revenue would be used to fund the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).
More than 6.5 million people across the country benefit from this program, which provides food to pregnant, breastfeeding or postpartum women, as well as infants and children under five.
But the National WIC Association said in a statement that the measure was “not a permanent solution” and that a prolonged shutdown could put millions of recipients at risk.
House Democrats reportedly plan to introduce legislation that would ensure full funding for the program, with Virginia Democrat Robert Scott telling the Guardian that it “should not be subject to the vagaries of the annual budget process.”
