The threat of another government shutdown is becoming almost as commonplace a news story as the threat of another hurricane.
In the event of a government shutdown, the consequences of inaction will be felt far and wide, and heavily within the military community.
For starters, some 2.1 million active-duty military members and reservists could be without a paycheck for days, weeks or even months, if politicians don’t settle their differences. A shutdown will impact family members, veterans, retirees, and others linked to the nation’s vast defense network.
And while there will be no pay for those serving the country, service members will still be expected to show up to work.
“A shutdown … puts the government on a complete standstill,” said Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh during a recent discussion with the Pentagon press corps. “[But] the U.S. military is going to continue to do its job and protect our national security interests and … those of our allies and partners as well.”
Singh later emphasized that there will be challenges to the young service members who provide that security, to their families, and to the long-term readiness that comes from the training that keeps them combat ready.
“A shutdown would be detrimental,” Singh said. “Troops would go without pay. Military families would be impacted, of course. For folks that are not getting paychecks, which impacts how and when [they] can buy groceries, child care, all of these things.’
The nonprofit organization Blue Star Families reports that one in three military families has less than $3,000 in savings, while the Defense Department estimates nearly one in four service members has trouble putting food on the table.
The last government shutdown lasted 35 days (Dec. 22, 2018, through Jan. 25, 2019). It was the longest government shutdown in history.
So, how will this impact military personnel, retirees, and all those who rely on VA benefits and federal programs?
The threat of a government shutdown is a recurring issue in Washington. When federal funding expires and Congress fails to pass a continuing resolution or appropriations bills, many federal agencies and services shut down until new funding is secured Unfortunately, during a shutdown, members of the military are considered “non-essential” personnel and may have their pay and benefits disrupted This is unacceptable for the men and women who put their lives on the line for our country. That’s why legislation like the Pay Our Military Act is so important – it guarantees our troops will continue receiving their paychecks, even when the government shuts down due to partisan bickering.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the impacts of government shutdowns on military pay review recent legislative efforts to ensure pay continuity and discuss why securing pay for service members should be a top priority.
How Government Shutdowns Impact Troop Pay
When a lapse in government funding triggers a shutdown, only “essential” personnel – those deemed crucial for national security public safety or other vital operations – remain on duty and continue getting paid. Most service members are considered “non-essential” and are furloughed. This means approximately 1.3 million active duty troops would have their pay and benefits suspended in the event of a shutdown, according to the Center for American Progress.
Reserve forces would also go unpaid. Only about 400,000 active duty service members are fully exempt from shutdown furloughs based on their occupations and funding sources. Uncertainty about receiving their next paycheck creates tremendous anxiety and financial hardship for military families already stretched thin. Most military families have little savings and live paycheck to paycheck.
A government shutdown doesn’t just delay pay – it can disrupt other important benefits as well. This includes tuition assistance for continuing education, as well as Veterans Affairs disability and GI Bill benefits. Shutdowns also stall defense contracts and maintenance, wasting billions in taxpayer dollars.
Recent Attempts to Guarantee Military Pay
Due to the devastating impacts shutdowns have on service members, there have been recent legislative attempts to guarantee military pay continuity when the government’s funding expires.
In September 2022, Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) introduced the Pay Our Military Act of 2022 (S.2835). This bipartisan bill had over 20 cosponsors and aimed to appropriate funds to pay military salaries and benefits during a shutdown. It specified pay for active duty, reserve, and civilian defense personnel.
Similarly, in January 2023 Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI) introduced the Pay Our Military Act in the House (H.R. 436). This bill sought to protect pay for all members of the armed forces and defense civilians/contractors. It also had bipartisan support with over 60 cosponsors. Unfortunately, neither bill was enacted before the 118th Congress ended.
While well-intentioned, critics argue such bills don’t address the root cause of shutdowns. Senator Angus King (I-ME) contended, “The solution is not, in my view, to just say, ‘Oh they’ll get paid anyway’…The solution is to do our job and keep the government running.” Others counter paying the troops should be non-negotiable.
Why Military Pay Continuity Matters
Guaranteeing military pay during a shutdown is not merely about finances – it’s about respect and security. Our men and women in uniform and their families deserve peace of mind that their next paycheck is coming, shutdown or not. Here are some key reasons pay continuity legislation is important:
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Recruitment and retention: Not providing stable pay undermines military recruitment and retention efforts at a time when all branches are struggling to meet enrollment goals.
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Morale and readiness: Disruptions in pay hurt morale and degrade mission readiness at the unit level. Uncertain finances cause distractions that undermine operational effectiveness.
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Support for families: With frequent moves and deployments, military families rely on steady income to cover household expenses. Even brief disruptions can jeopardize housing, food, and healthcare costs.
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Fulfilling promises: When service members swear to support and defend our country, we promise to support them in return. Failing to pay them in a time of crisis breaks this covenant.
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Efficiency: Guaranteeing pay continuity avoids extensive re-work once shutdowns end. In the 2013 shutdown, DoD had to process 400,000back pay transactions costing millions in manhours.
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Acknowledgement: Exempting military pay recognizes service members’ sacrifices and unique employment status. Pay disruptions should not be used as political leverage.
Overall, military members serve and sacrifice regardless of whether politicians perform their duties. Our troops should not bear the financial burden of congressional inaction. Passing legislation to guarantee pay in a shutdown is a small act of reciprocity for their selfless service and acknowledgement that supporting our military is not up for debate.
Government shutdowns create financial hardships and anxiety for America’s service members and their families. Failing to provide stable pay for troops actively serving our nation is unacceptable. While avoiding shutdowns altogether is the best solution, passing bills like the Pay Our Military Act is prudent to insulate military pay. Ensuring pay continuity honors the commitments made to those who volunteer to defend our country. Supporting our troops is not a partisan issue – it’s an American issue. Our men and women in uniform deserve that support 24/7/365.
Will VA Benefits Be Affected by a Government Shutdown?
Will veterans still receive disability compensation? Some benefits and services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs are not affected by a shutdown, while others will pause until an agreement is reached.
On the upside, compensation, pension, education (GI Bill) and housing benefits continue to be processed and delivered. VA medical centers, outpatient clinics and veteran centers remain open. Burials will continue at VA national cemeteries, and applications for headstones, markers, and burial benefits processing continue.
Services impacted by the shutdown include veteran career counseling or transition assistance program activities. VA education benefits contact centers will close, as will the VA benefits regional offices and some other administrative functions of the VA.
Will the Military Get Paid During a Government Shutdown?
If a funding bill fails to pass Congress, pay is frozen for federal employees, including the nation’s military personnel.
There always is a chance members would pass a half-measure that would allow for military personnel to be paid, even if the budget battle was not fully solved. In 2018, prior to the government’s last shutdown, lawmakers were able to pass a measure that allowed military personnel to continue being paid throughout the shutdown.
Efforts to pass a similar measure have not been successful.
Sen Doug Jones co sponsors bill to pay military during government shutdown
FAQ
What is the military bill for the government shutdown?
With its name, the “Pay Our Troops Act,” this bill will protect the pay of military members, including those in the Coast Guard and some U.S. S. Department of Defense civilian workers and contractors if Congress doesn’t get enough money after September 30, 2023
Does the military still get paid during a government shutdown?
With Government Shutdown, Troops Still Protect Nation, But Possibly Without Pay. With a possible government shutdown less than a week away, defense leaders say the nation will remain protected. But service members may end up doing that defense work without being paid.
Will Navy Federal pay the military during shutdown?
Yes. If you work for the federal government or are in the military and your direct deposit of pay will be affected by a government shutdown, and your direct deposit of pay was processed into a Navy Federal account right before the shutdown, you can join the program.
What is the bill for military pay raise?
Section 2018011 would change the pay tables to give a 15% pay raise for pay grades E-1% through E-4 and a 7% average pay raise for some E-5% pay grades. These would be in addition to the annual inflation adjustment of 4. 5%. Section 601 would amend pay tables to provide a pay raise of 1% for paygrades E-1 through E-3.
Will military members be paid if a government shutdown happens?
The bill, which was written by Senator Sullivan, would make sure that members of the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, and Space Force are paid if the government shuts down in Fiscal Year 2024. Prior to requesting the legislation be passed by unanimous consent, Sen. Sullivan delivered remarks on the Senate floor.
Should Congress pay our troops during shutdowns?
“Our troops keep protecting our country even when the government is shut down, and we should honor their service by making sure they get paid, no matter how well Congress does its job of funding the government.” ” U. S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Ted Cruz (R-TX) led the legislation.
Can military servicemembers still get their paychecks if there’s a shutdown?
Since there isn’t even a draft of a Defense bill yet, the only way for military members to get paid during a shutdown is for lawmakers to do what they did in 2013. Technically, there’s still time. Former Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Colo. , introduced the bill on Sept. 28, 2013; it passed the House at 12:24 a. m. on the 29th.
What is the pay our military act?
“This bill, the Pay Our Military Act, was passed unanimously by the U.S. Congress in 2013 because the government was about to shut down for 16 days.” S. Senate and unanimously by the U. S. House and signed by the President. Congress recognized then the importance of uninterrupted military pay for our military members and their families. ”.
What is the pay our military act of 2023?
Tillis Co-Sponsors Bill to Guarantee Military Pay in Event of Government Shutdow WASHINGTON, D. C. Senator Thom Tillis co-sponsored the Pay Our Military Act of 2023, which makes sure that members of the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, and Space Force get paid even if the government shuts down.
Who blocked the pay our military act of 2023?
WASHINGTON— U. S. Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), who is on the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), and Ted Cruz (R-TX) tried to pass the Pay Our Military Act of 2023 on the Senate floor on Wednesday, but Senate Democrats stopped them.
