U.S. to Pay 'Guys with Guns' First

BAGHDAD—On a visit with troops in Iraq Thursday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates faced a question on the minds of many of those in uniform: If the federal government shuts down, do the troops still get paid?

Mr. Gates was in Iraq on what is likely to be his final visit to the country as defense secretary, and he met Thursday morning with soldiers of U.S. Division - Center, which includes troops advising the Iraqi military.