WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House expects a solution to be found Wednesday to military death benefit payments denied because of the government shutdown.
Payments of $100,000 typically are issued within three days of a service member's death. But the shutdown and lapse in funding meant the department didn't have authority to continue the payments.
White House press secretary Jay Carney says President Barack Obama was "disturbed" to learn of the problem and directed the Defense Department and White House officials to find a solution. Carney says a solution is expected Wednesday.
House Speaker John Boehner blasted the administration for withholding the payments. He said Congress gave the Pentagon authority to continue payments in a law Obama signed before the Oct. 1 shutdown.
Carney says the law did not explicitly address death benefits.
