During a C-SPAN segment on Thursday, House Speaker Mike Johnson addressed concerns about the government shutdown when a GOP mother and military wife expressed worries about her children’s health. She urgently requested that he reconvene the House to approve a payment bill for service members.

“I am the mother of two critically ill children,” stated Samantha, calling from Northern Virginia. “My husband, who serves this country, suffers from PTSD after two deployments to Afghanistan. If we experience a pay delay on October 15th, my children won’t receive their essential medications because we live paycheck to paycheck.”

She highlighted that President Trump has been in favor of a standalone bill to address this situation, despite his assurance on Wednesday that Congress has ample time to act: “For me, even a week is extensive,” Trump remarked. “But we’ll manage it.”

For now, however, military members are poised to miss their paycheck next Wednesday. 

The caller told Johnson “you have the power” to call the House back and pass a standalone bill. 

“And as a Republican, I am very disappointed in my party, and I’m very disappointed in you,” she said. 

“I implore you to pass this legislation,” Samantha insisted. “The lives of my children are at risk. Due to ongoing medical expenses, we can’t rely on credit. You have the power to prevent this.”

Johnson listened quietly as she spoke, nodding his head at times. 

“Samantha, I’m so sorry to hear about your situation,” Johnson said, adding stories like hers keep him “up at night.” 

The speaker so far hasn’t expressed a willingness to pass a separate bill to continue paying the military.