After uproar, Pete Hegseth clarifies Qatari air force facility in Idaho is not a foreign base – as it happened

Earlier, Pentagon chief shared that location would host contingent of Qatari F-15s and pilots'. This blog is now closed.

• White House announces federal worker layoffs as government shutdown nears third week

As the shutdown enters its 10th day, and both chambers are out of session today, House speaker Mike Johnson has defended not passing a separate bill that would keep members of the military paid throughout the shutdown.

Republicans have voted to OPEN the government and get our troops, Border Patrol, TSA, and veterans PAID," Johnson said, before blaming Democratic leadership for refusing to pass the House-passed continuing resolution. Chuck Schumer is terrified of a challenge from the Marxist left - so he and the Democrats voted to CLOSE the government-and to STOP PAYCHECKS from being issued."