The Trump administration is looking for alternative ways to ensure federal law enforcement officers are paid as the government shutdown enters its third week.
With Democrats and Republicans locked in a stalemate over the shutdown, officials in government are exploring alternative ways of paying for some key programmes, including a food programme for women and children.
Members of the US military, meanwhile, will be paid using funds previously allocated to the Pentagon following an order from President Donald Trump.
Thousands of federal workers have already been laid off, with Vice-President JD Vance warning of painful additional cuts should the shutdown continue.
It is unclear how much money would be necessary to ensure that all federal law enforcement officers are paid.
In response to a query from the BBC, a spokesperson for the Office of Management and Budget confirmed that it is examining alternative ways to ensure those payments continue.
Like military personnel, federal law enforcement officers are considered essential and are still expected to report for duty, even without pay. They include officers from the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), US Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Separately, on Saturday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that he had directed Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to use all available funds to get members of the military paid on October 15, when they would have their pay withheld.
The National WIC Association, however, said in a statement that the measure is not a permanent solution and that a prolonged shutdown could put millions of recipients at risk. Congressional Democrats are reportedly planning to introduce a bill that would ensure the programme remains fully funded.
The Senate plans to vote for an eighth time to fund the government on Tuesday afternoon, although it is unlikely to pass.
