Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) on Thursday reintroduced a invoice 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 with out a deal to increase funding.
The Pay Our Troops Act would direct present unappropriated Treasury funds to be made out there to pay members of the armed forces in addition to civilian workers and protection contractors supporting the navy within the occasion of a shutdown, till both a unbroken 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, mentioned in an announcement.
Home Republicans are crafting a invoice to proceed funding the federal government via the tip of the fiscal yr on Sept. 30.
However it isn’t clear that Democrats will assist that invoice. At the least some Democratic assist will probably be wanted to avert a shutdown as a result of 60-vote threshold within the Senate.
Navy pay, although, has constantly 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 situation will not be unprecedented. Throughout a 2019 authorities shutdown, 50,000 Coast Guard workers went with out pay for 35 days.
“When we take care of our Armed Forces, we also fortify our national security,” Kiggans mentioned. “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.
