A top Pentagon official said the U.S. military will continue to carry out its "fundamental responsibility and mission to defend" the country if Congress fails to reach a deal to fund the government but warned that military personnel would not be paid.
If the government shuts down at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryan said troops will not receive their end-of-month paycheck during the holiday season, reservists drilling after Friday and federal civilians required to work during a shutdown will not be paid.
