Congress is working hard to pass funding bills before the end of the fiscal year on September 30. Without them, the government could shut down again. This shutdown is different from others because military pay is at risk unless Congress acts. Let’s examine the bill to pay the military during a potential shutdown.
Background on Government Shutdowns
If Congress doesn’t pass annual appropriations bills that pay for government operations, agencies may have to shut down services that aren’t necessary. This is what’s known as a government shutdown.
During a shutdown
- Many federal employees are furloughed
- National parks, museums, and monuments close
- Benefits like Social Security and Medicare continue, but processing delays slow disbursements
- Essential services like border patrol and air traffic control continue
In the last few decades, there have been several partial government shutdowns because Congress missed deadlines for funding:
- 1995-1996 shutdown lasted 21 days
- 2013 shutdown lasted 16 days
- 2018-2019 shutdown lasted 35 days
These disruptions inconvenience millions of Americans who rely on federal services.
Military Pay During Shutdowns
In past shutdowns, military pay was protected even as other agencies closed.
The military continued to receive funding for two reasons:
1. Separate Defense Funding Bill
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The annual Defense appropriations bill funds the military separately from other agencies.
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In 1995 and 2018, this bill passed before the shutdowns occurred.
2. Legislative Fixes
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In 2013, Congress passed a bill (H.R. 3210) ensuring military pay just before the shutdown.
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This bill was introduced by Rep. Mike Coffman and passed unanimously.
However, this year the Defense bill has not passed ahead of the shutdown threat. That puts military pay in jeopardy.
Introducing S. 2835
To ensure service members get paid during a potential 2022 shutdown, Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) introduced S. 2835 on September 18, 2023.
This bill is known as the Pay Our Military Act of 2023. It protects pay for:
- Active duty military
- Reservists
- Certain civilians supporting the armed forces
- Coast Guard (which falls under Homeland Security funding)
It mirrors the successful 2013 bill Rep. Coffman sponsored.
Path Forward for Military Pay Bill
For S. 2835 to pass in time, it must clear both chambers and be signed by President Biden before September 30.
Here is what needs to happen:
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Pass the Senate by unanimous consent
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Get a vote and pass in the House
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Receive presidential signature
Time is running out with the shutdown deadline approaching Friday. But Congress could still act fast, like in 2013, to guarantee military paychecks.
Having bipartisan, bicameral support makes quick passage of S. 2835 plausible. But so far, the bill lacks momentum with only 20 GOP co-sponsors.
Why Protect Military Pay?
Supporters of the military pay protection bill make the case that service members shouldn’t be penalized by partisan funding fights in Congress.
Though active duty military are essential and must work without pay during shutdowns, they deserve compensation for their duties. After all, they don’t choose when Congress funds the government.
Gaps in pay could hurt military families’ financial security and morale. Making sure troops get paid should be a priority.
Opposition to Piecemeal Approach
Some in Congress argue S. 2835 doesn’t address the larger issue.
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) blocked the bill, saying:
“The pressing issue right now is making sure everyone gets paid, and we prevent a completely unnecessary shutdown that would hurt our families across the country.”
In other words, ad hoc bills for military pay allow Congress to avoid doing its job passing broad spending measures.
Impact on Civilian DOD Employees
Department of Defense civilian employees don’t have their pay protected like military personnel.
If S. 2835 passes, only “excepted” civilians performing essential national security duties will keep working without pay during a shutdown.
Over 400,000 other DOD civilians will be furloughed without pay based on the department’s contingency plan.
This illustrates how military pay protection bills still leave many vulnerable to shutdown turmoil.
Looking Ahead
With the fiscal year ending September 30, time is dwindling for Congress to avoid a shutdown and ensure all federal workers get paid.
But S. 2835 provides a narrow solution to make sure military pay is protected if funding lapses occur.
Passing a broader spending deal is the best option. Yet history shows Congress often resorts to limited bills like S. 2835 at the last minute. We’ll see in coming days whether emergency military pay legislation becomes necessary.
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.
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.
Bill would ensure that if there is a government shutdown, troops get paid, no matter what
FAQ
Are troops not getting paid during shutdown?
Did the Democrats block the bill to pay the military?
Who does not get paid during a government shutdown?
What is the new military pay bill?
Will military members get paid if a shutdown happens?
Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., a former Navy helicopter pilot, introduced legislation in the House last week that would ensure military members get paid in the event of a shutdown. And more than a dozen Republican senators introduced a similar bill on Tuesday. “Our servicemembers shouldn’t suffer because of Washington’s dysfunction,” Kiggans said.
Did Congress guarantee military pay during the shutdown?
Congress also guaranteed military pay during the shutdowns of 2013 and 1995-1996. That’s because the full-year Defense appropriations bill had already become law, in two of those cases, or because Congress passed specific legislation in 2013 preemptively guaranteeing military pay, Roll Call explains.
Should Congress pay our troops during shutdowns?
“Our troops keep defending our nation during shutdowns and we should recognize their dedication by ensuring they are paid regardless of how well Congress fulfills its own duty to fund 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?
With no enacted Defense bill even close, the only chance for military servicemembers to still get their paychecks if there’s a shutdown is for lawmakers to go the 2013 route. 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.