NATO ally to pay staff hit by US govt shutdown

Germany will cover wages for thousands of employees at local American bases affected by the Congressional budget impasse

Germany plans to pay thousands of employees stationed at American military bases in the country whose salaries have been affected by the US government shutdown, the Finance Ministry in Berlin has announced.

The US federal government shut down on October 1 after Republicans and Democrats failed to agree on a spending bill in the Senate. The impasse has left hundreds of thousands of federal employees either furloughed or working without pay as the standoff enters its fourth week.

A spokeswoman for the German Finance Ministry told AFP on Wednesday that Berlin would “initiate an unscheduled expenditure to ensure that October salaries are paid on time.” 

She described the measure as “a sign of solidarity with the US armed forces stationed in Germany and their civilian employees.” 

The arrangement was reached together with the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate, home to several large American bases, including Ramstein Air Base – the headquarters of US Air Force in Europe and Africa.

Germany, a key NATO ally of the United States, hosts more American military installations than any other European country, with around 120 sites. The long-standing US presence dates back to the end of World War II.

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Berlin expects to be reimbursed once Washington resumes payments, the spokeswoman said.

US President Donald Trump has directed the Pentagon to ensure that American service members continue to receive pay during the shutdown.

The funding lapse occurred after US lawmakers failed to agree on extending federal health care subsidies, which are set to expire. Republicans have pushed for a short-term spending bill to keep the government open while broader budget talks continue, while Democrats have insisted the subsidies be extended before approving any deal, warning that millions of Americans could face sharp increases in health insurance premiums. The two sides continue to accuse each other of using the crisis for political gain.