Military officials seek assured compensation for soldiers amidst impending government closure
House Republicans have introduced the "Pay Our Troops Act of 2026," a bill that guarantees pay for service members if Congress fails to pass legislation to keep the government open before October 1, 2026. The legislation, primarily supported by Rep. Jen Kiggans, a Republican from Virginia, aims to provide financial security for service members and civilian workers in the event of a government shutdown.
The bill uses existing, unappropriated Treasury funds for fiscal 2026 to continue paying service members and civilian workers during a shutdown. It also continues paying until Congress passes a continuing resolution, an appropriations bill that funds the Defense Department, or January 1, 2027 - whichever comes first.
However, the bill's future is uncertain. It is unclear if House Republicans have the votes to pass the bill, with Democrats signaling they would reject the measure and vote to shut down the government unless the bill addresses Democrats' priorities. The standoff has fueled concerns about a potential shutdown and that service members could be required to work without pay.
To express their concerns, hundreds of federal workers from more than 50 agencies signed a petition urging Democrats to protect vital public services, even if it means shutting down the government. The petition, signed on Thursday, urges Democrats to "rein in executive lawlessness."
The petition and the bill have garnered support from multiple military and veterans groups, including Blue Star Families and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families, supports the bill, stating it protects service members from the political uncertainty of government shutdowns. Kyleanne Hunter, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, echoes this sentiment, stating the bill protects service members and civilians from the potential hardships of a shutdown.
In a bid to avoid a shutdown, House Republicans have also unveiled legislation to fund the government through November 21. However, the fate of the Pay Our Troops Act of 2026 and the government funding bill remain uncertain, with Republicans needing votes from some Democrats to pass the bill, implying bipartisan but limited and conditional support.
The 2018-2019 shutdown serves as a reminder of the potential impact of a government shutdown on service members. While most troops continued to receive pay during that shutdown, Coast Guard members worked without pay for over a month. The hope is that the Pay Our Troops Act of 2026 will provide a solution to prevent such situations in the future.
The political landscape is dynamic, and the outcome of the bill's passage remains to be seen. As the deadline approaches, all eyes are on Congress to make a decision that protects both the government and its service members.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
