US troops in Germany sent to food banks amid government shutdown
US military (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
American soldiers in Germany may not receive their November pay due to the prolonged US government shutdown, according to Euronews.
Approximately 37,000 American soldiers stationed in Germany are at risk of not being paid for November.
Their October salaries were covered using emergency funds, Euronews reports.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that service members could go without pay if the budget deadlock between Democrats and Republicans continues.
Meanwhile, the US Army published recommendations on its website for what soldiers can do in such a situation: emergency social payments, loans, food banks, and organizations that distribute food.
German social benefits are largely unavailable to American military personnel.
Longest government shutdown in US history
The US is currently experiencing the longest government shutdown in its history. For 37 days, federal agencies have remained closed, and hundreds of thousands of workers have gone without pay.
Flight delays are worsening due to a shortage of air traffic controllers and TSA personnel. Meanwhile, 42 million Americans who receive assistance through the federal SNAP food program will get only half of their usual benefits in November.
Major US airports are reducing the number of flights due to the shutdown. The cuts will affect airports serving New York, Washington, Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Dallas.
Analysts estimate that up to 1,800 flights and more than 268,000 passenger seats could be affected. International flights, however, will remain unchanged for now.
Airlines are urging an end to the shutdown, emphasizing the safety risks for passengers.
