Invoice to pay troops throughout shutdown filed as funding deadline looms 

Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) reintroduced a invoice Thursday to make sure that members of the navy receives a commission throughout a authorities shutdown, a transfer that comes as a March 14 deadline ticks nearer and not using a deal to increase funding.

The Pay Our Troops Act would direct current unappropriated Treasury Division funds to be made obtainable to pay members of the armed forces in addition to civilian staff and protection contractors supporting the navy within the occasion of a shutdown till both a seamless decision (CR) is handed, common full-year funding is handed, or till Jan. 1, 2026.

“Dysfunction in Washington should never force our servicemembers to go without a paycheck. These men and women put their lives on the line to protect our country – it is our responsibility to ensure they can provide for their families and put food on their tables,” Kiggans, who represents a district with a big navy inhabitants, stated in an announcement. 

Home Republicans are crafting a invoice to proceed funding the federal government by means of the top of the fiscal yr on Sept. 30.

However it isn’t clear if Democrats will assist that invoice. Not less than some Democratic assist shall be wanted to avert a shutdown because of the 60-vote threshold within the Senate.

Army pay, although, has persistently been a significant motivator to get lawmakers to compromise on averting a shutdown, since no politicians need to be seen as undermining the troops.

However such a state of affairs shouldn’t be unprecedented. Throughout a 2019 authorities shutdown, 50,000 Coast Guard staff went with out pay for 35 days.

“When we take care of our Armed Forces, we also fortify our national security,” Kiggans stated. “As Congress works to avoid a government shutdown, my legislation will give our troops the financial certainty they deserve to ensure they remain a lethal fighting force. As a Navy veteran, Navy spouse, and Navy Mom, I will always be the loudest voice to protect our men and women in uniform and their families.”

Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) is main a companion invoice within the Senate.