Update: Obama signed legislation Thursday evening to ensure military benefits are paid.

Before the shutdown, Congress passed the Pay Our Military Act to ensure the continuation of survivor distribution for family members of military personnel killed in action, but for some reason the Pentagon argues it doesn’t have the authority to issue these payments. But Stars and Stripes reports, “The Defense Department will lean on a private charity to deliver survivor benefit payouts to the families of fallen servicemembers while the government shutdown drags on.” The government will repay the Fisher House Foundation later. It’s unclear – other than politics – why the Pentagon makes its claim, but it’s disgraceful that our Armed Forces are suffering so needlessly for the shutdown.