WASHINGTON, DC: Today, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) reintroduced the Pay Our Troops Act, legislation to ensure members of the military are paid in the event of a government shutdown. The bill will protect members of the military, including the Coast Guard, as well as certain U.S. Department of Defense civilian employees and contractors should Congress fail to provide temporary or full-year federal funding by September 30, 2024. 

Currently, if the government shuts down without a funding bill for the Department of Defense signed into law, those serving in our Armed Forces will not receive their paychecks. Only those deemed “essential” would receive back pay once a shutdown ends and new federal funding is approved. Virginia’s Second Congressional District is home to the largest active-duty military population in the U.S., hosting our Navy’s East Coast Master Jet Base as well as Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story. Congresswoman Kiggans is a former Navy helicopter pilot who has a long history of military service in her family.

“The men and women who put their lives on the line to defend our country should never go without a paycheck,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “At a time when inflation continues to hurt our military families, it’s unacceptable that they have to worry about losing their income because of dysfunction in Washington. As we continue working to keep the government open, my bill will give our troops the financial certainty they deserve. It is the privilege of a lifetime to fight on behalf of our servicemembers here in Congress and protect them, just as they protect us.”

Specifically, the Pay Our Troops Act would make available such sums from the Treasury as are necessary to provide pay for our Armed Forces as well as civilian employees and contractors of the Department of Defense whose responsibilities are determined by the Secretary of Defense to contribute to the mission execution, well-being, and readiness of the Armed Forces. According to the Pentagon, there are about 804,000 civilian defense employees. Roughly 166,000 of those employees do not rely on congressional funding and would continue to work during a shutdown. Almost 200,000 would be required to work without pay because they are considered “necessary to protect life and property.”

The Pay Our Troops Act is cosponsored by Representatives Kat Cammack (FL-03), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Don Davis (NC-01), Scott DesJarlais (TN-04), Pat Fallon (TX-04), Brad Finstad (MN-01), Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), Sam Graves (MO-06), Jared Golden (ME-02), Tom Kean (NJ-07), Young Kim (CA-40), Debbie Lesko (AZ-08), Barry Loudermilk (GA-11), Brian Mast (FL-21), Rich McCormick (GA-06), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), Frank Mrvan (IN-01), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Michael Rulli (OH-06), Dale Strong (AL-05), Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), and Brandon Williams (NY-22).

The legislation has been endorsed by the American Legion, Blue Star Families, Navy League of the United States, National Military Family Association, Chief Warrant and Warrant Officers Association for the United States Coast Guard, Military Officers Association of America, and Sea Service Family.

Congresswoman Kiggans first introduced the legislation last year ahead of the federal funding deadline on September 30, 2023. H.R. 5641, which would have ensured military members continued to receive paychecks during Fiscal Year 2024 in the event of a government shutdown, garnered 118 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle. 

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