WASHINGTON \u2014 A C-SPAN caller made an emotional plea to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on Thursday to end the government shutdown, saying that \u201cmy kids could die\u201d if she can\u2019t afford their medication.<\/p>\n
The woman, identified as Samantha from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, expressed concerns over what would happen to her family if military service members do not get paid next week. The caller, who was also identified as a Republican, said that she has \u201ctwo medically fragile children\u201d and that her husband \u201cactively serves his country\u201d and had spent two military tours in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
She brought up comments Johnson made Wednesday when asked if he would allow a vote on a bill to provide military members with emergency pay if the shutdown continues. Johnson told reporters that Democrats were \u201cclamoring to get back here and have another vote, because some of them want to get on record and say they\u2019re for paying the troops. We already had that vote. It\u2019s called the CR,\u201d referring to the short-term funding bill that the House passed but Democrats do not support.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we see a lapse in pay come the 15th, my children do not get to get the medication that\u2019s needed for them to live their life, because we live paycheck to paycheck,\u201d Samantha told Johnson.<\/p>\n
The exchange occurred as Johnson was taking questions live from C-SPAN viewers who called in to the network Thursday morning. According to C-SPAN communications director <\/a>Howard Mortman, Johnson is the fourth sitting speaker to join the network in studio and take questions from callers, and the first since 2001.<\/p>\n Active-duty military members had been scheduled to be paid <\/a>on Oct. 15, but if the shutdown continues, they will not receive payments for October work.<\/p>\n Samantha said that she was \u201cvery disappointed in my party, and I\u2019m very disappointed in you.\u201d She pointed out that Johnson had the power to call the House back into session. The House is set to return on Oct. 14.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI am begging you to pass this legislation,\u201d she said. \u201cMy kids could die.\u201d<\/p>\n NBC News reached out to Johnson\u2019s office for comment.<\/p>\n Johnson told Samantha he was \u201cangry because of situations just like yours.\u201d He noted that his congressional district is home to many military families, including families who \u201chave children in health situations like yours.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is what keeps me up at night,\u201d he said. \u201cI want you to hear something very clearly: The Republicans are the ones delivering for you.\u201d<\/p>\n