than folks like jt henderson. >> reporter: jt henderson said he appreciated the president hearing his concerns. >> it came as a shock, but it was a good thing. >> reporter: but he would blame both sides for any shutdown. >> i don't hold one party responsible over the other. i think it's a case of business as usual in washington. >> reporter: also affected, the military. freshly back at fort campbell, kentucky, after his third tour in afghanistan, this staff sergeant enjoyed a meal with his family. a government shutdown will not mean that soldiers like this stop fighting. but it would mean he and his wife, a federal employee, would not be paid. >> if they stopped our paychecks it would have a devastating effect. with children and daily life expenses don't go away. >> reporter: so such problem for president obama, house speaker john boehner, or congressional leaders, they are paid no matter what. even if they cannot hammer out a deal. a cruel irony not lost on military families with loved ones in harm's way overseas. >> it doesn't affect them.