Rome, November 10, 2025 – As the United States grapples with the longest federal government shutdown in its history—now stretching into its 41st day—Italy has issued a formal plea to Washington to expedite payments for approximately 2,000 local Italian employees working at American military installations in the country. The delay, triggered by the funding impasse that began on October 1, has left these non-military staff without their October salaries, exacerbating financial strain on families in the northeast region where the bases are concentrated.
Italy's Foreign Ministry released a statement on Saturday highlighting the plight of these workers, who are primarily employed at the Aviano Air Base in Friuli Venezia Giulia and the U.S. Army Garrison in Vicenza, Veneto. These individuals, bound by Italian labor contracts, perform essential roles such as administrative support, maintenance, logistics, and facility management. Despite their critical contributions to base operations, they have been caught in the crossfire of a partisan standoff in Congress, where Republicans and Democrats remain locked in a bitter dispute over federal spending priorities.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, speaking from Rome, emphasized the urgency of the situation. "We have urged both the U.S. government and the American embassy here to intervene promptly," Tajani said during a press briefing. "These are hardworking Italians supporting U.S. military missions abroad, and their livelihoods cannot be held hostage to domestic political gridlock." The ministry confirmed that discussions with U.S. officials have yielded a tentative commitment: the U.S. Army and Air Force are coordinating with the Pentagon to explore the use of discretionary funds to cover the overdue paychecks. However, no firm timeline has been established, leaving workers in limbo as bills pile up.
The affected employees, numbering around 900 at Aviano and Vicenza combined, with an additional 400 at the U.S. Army's Camp Darby in Livorno, Tuscany, earn an average monthly salary of about €2,000 ($2,100). Many are middle-class families relying on these incomes for mortgages, school fees, and daily necessities. Union representatives, including those from Uiltucs Base USA Sigonella and other labor groups, have mobilized to demand national-level intervention. "These workers are showing up every day without pay, driving to bases on fumes because they can't afford fuel," said union coordinator Giovanni Zaccaria. "We've appealed to the Italian government for emergency bridging loans, similar to what Germany did, but so far, it's radio silence."
This incident underscores the global ripple effects of the U.S. shutdown, which has furloughed over 2 million federal workers and disrupted services from national parks to food assistance programs. At home, air traffic controllers and TSA officers continue working without compensation, leading to widespread flight cancellations—over 1,530 on Saturday alone, with projections of a 10% reduction in U.S. airspace capacity by mid-November. Consumer confidence has plummeted, with the University of Michigan's November survey showing heightened fears over economic fallout. Internationally, the shutdown's tentacles extend to allies hosting U.S. forces, straining diplomatic ties and operational readiness.
In Italy, the U.S. maintains five major bases employing more than 4,600 local nationals in total, a workforce integral to the bilateral defense partnership forged under NATO commitments. Aviano, home to the 31st Fighter Wing, serves as a key hub for F-16 operations in Europe and the Middle East, while Vicenza houses the U.S. Army Africa's headquarters and the 173rd Airborne Brigade. These sites not only bolster regional security but also inject millions into local economies through jobs and procurement. The salary delays threaten morale and could lead to absenteeism, potentially compromising mission support at a time when geopolitical tensions in Ukraine and the Mediterranean demand unwavering U.S. presence.
The shutdown's origins trace back to a familiar congressional deadlock. Republicans, led by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, have conditioned funding on deeper cuts to discretionary spending, including a controversial push to redirect Affordable Care Act subsidies toward direct payments to individuals—a proposal floated by President Donald Trump on Saturday. Democrats, spearheaded by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, insist on maintaining current funding levels and extending expiring Obamacare subsidies for 24 million Americans, arguing that Republican intransigence is using federal workers as "bargaining chips." The impasse has eclipsed previous records; the 2018-2019 shutdown lasted 35 days, but this one has already surpassed it, with no end in sight until at least November 21, when a short-term stopgap is set to expire unless extended.
Optimism flickered briefly over the weekend as the Senate advanced a funding measure with support from eight Democrats, including Sens. Tim Kaine and Dick Durbin, paving the way for potential reopening as early as this week. Thune described the bipartisan talks as "promising," focusing on a package that includes three longer-term appropriations bills alongside a continuing resolution through late January. Yet, hurdles remain, particularly around the health subsidies, which Republicans view as non-negotiable during the crisis. "We're negotiating once the government opens up," Thune reiterated Friday.
Beyond Italy, the shutdown's overseas fallout is stark. In Germany, the government swiftly covered October salaries for nearly 11,000 civilian workers at bases like Ramstein Air Base, a linchpin for U.S. logistics in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Berlin's Finance Ministry framed it as a "pragmatic necessity" to sustain alliance operations, with expectations of U.S. reimbursement post-resolution. Spain resolved delays for over 1,000 workers at Morón and Rota bases through defense ministry mediation last month. Portugal, however, mirrors Italy's woes: more than 360 employees at Lajes Field in the Azores are unpaid, prompting the regional government to approve a temporary bank loan, though repayment details are pending.
Experts warn of broader implications. "Contract workers at overseas bases are uniquely vulnerable; their agreements often lack robust protections against U.S. fiscal disruptions," noted Linda Bilmes, a public policy professor at Harvard's Kennedy School and former deputy comptroller under President Obama. "No one foresaw a shutdown this protracted—40 days is unprecedented and erodes trust in our alliances." In Italy, unions are preparing legal action if payments aren't forthcoming by November 15, potentially invoking EU labor directives. Protests have already simmered; on X (formerly Twitter), users like @theapril29th vented frustration, posting: "US Government Shutdown Hits Overseas Workers: Italy, Portugal Workers Go Unpaid," amplifying calls for solidarity.
Domestically, the human cost mounts. Military families are turning to food pantries in record numbers—a 300% spike at one Kansas facility—while programs like Head Start have shuttered for 10,000 children in 18 states. SNAP benefits face suspension threats, with a federal court battle ongoing after USDA directives to pause November payouts. Economists estimate daily losses at $1.2 billion, with tourism, agriculture, and defense supply chains reeling.
For Italy's unpaid workers, the wait continues. One Aviano employee, speaking anonymously to Reuters, shared her desperation: "I have two kids and a husband in construction—both our incomes are gone. We're rationing groceries, skipping meals. This isn't just about money; it's about dignity." As senators reconvene Monday, Tajani reiterated Rome's stance: "The U.S. is our steadfast ally, but alliances thrive on mutual respect. Pay these workers—now."
The saga highlights a paradox: America's global military footprint, a symbol of power projection, now hinges on resolving a self-inflicted wound at home. With Thanksgiving travel looming and airspace cuts deepening, pressure builds for compromise. Whether Italy's call accelerates that remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—the shutdown's scars extend far beyond Capitol Hill.
