WASHINGTON, DC: Last week, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) announced the reintroduction of the Pay Our Troops Act, which would 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. 

Since its introduction, the Pay Our Troops Act has received bipartisan support from more than 30 members of Congress. Here’s what they’re saying: 

“I’m glad to join Rep. Kiggans in co-sponsoring this important legislation,” said Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03). “Our men and women in uniform work tirelessly to protect our nation and should never go without their paychecks. While Washington sorts out its issues, we cannot jeopardize our troops’ readiness or national security by playing with their livelihoods. I’m grateful to Rep. Kiggans and my colleagues for supporting this important measure.”

“The men and women serving in the Armed Forces risk life and limb to protect us and defend our way of life, they must not be made to suffer because of Washington’s dysfunction,” said Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06). “A government shutdown would cause undue harm to our servicemembers, who would have their pay delayed. As I continue to work to keep the government open, this commonsense, bipartisan legislation provides much-needed financial certainty and ensures that our troops continue to receive their pay in the event of a shutdown.”

“My top priority remains to prevent any disruption in essential services and undue hardship for the people of eastern North Carolina and our nation,” said Congressman Don Davis (NC-01). “We must ensure our men and women in uniform are fully paid in the event of a government shutdown. Our troops should never pay a price for congressional inaction.”

“Our servicemembers should not have to suffer for Washington’s dysfunction,” said Congressman Pat Fallon (TX-04). “We will not allow a possible government shutdown to undermine those who risk their lives for this country and their family. Congress must act and pass this bill to ensure our servicemembers are paid. Failing to do so risks drastic consequences in terms of our military’s recruitment, retention, and readiness for years to come.”

“Our servicemembers and their families make the ultimate sacrifice to protect this country, and it is completely unacceptable, in any circumstance, that they would go without pay,” said Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01). “I am proud to support the Pay Our Troops Act again because members of our military should be able to support their families and not be impacted by a government shutdown.”

“The heroes who serve our nation in the Armed Services deserve to have economic security in the case of a government shutdown,” said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). “I am proud to join my colleagues in supporting this bipartisan legislation to guarantee our servicemembers receive their earned pay if Congress is unable to do our job and keep the government open.”

“In the event of a disastrous government shutdown, thousands of service members in Southwest Washington would soon experience delayed paychecks,” said Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03). “I’m supporting the Pay Our Troops Act to ensure brave members of our Armed Forces and their families don’t bear the burden if Congress fails to meet its basic obligation of funding our government.”

“The paychecks of the men and women serving in our Armed Forces should not be put at risk by discussions surrounding government funding,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-04). “With another deadline approaching and families already struggling to make ends meet in the current economic environment, let’s take the commonsense approach of passing the Pay Our Troops Act to ensure our troops and military families are paid on time.”

“When a government shutdown occurs, members of the Armed Services are still expected to carry out their duties,” said Congressman Tom Kean (NJ-07). “Our servicemembers should never have to work without a paycheck. This legislation is crucial for members of our Armed Services and their families. I thank Congresswoman Kiggans for introducing and leading the Pay Our Troops Act.” 

“Our troops’ service and sacrifice to keep us safe doesn’t stop if the government shuts down – their pay shouldn’t either,” said Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40). “As a wife and sister to U.S. Army veterans, I appreciate the service and sacrifice of those who have stepped up to serve in our nation’s uniform and their families. I’m proud to join Rep. Kiggans and bipartisan colleagues to support our troops and protect their salary during government shutdowns.” 

“With over 20,000 active-duty military personnel in our district and approximately 1.3 million across the United States, these men and women have enough to worry about. The last thing their families need is to go without pay,” said Congresswoman Nancy Mace (SC-01). “Partisanship should never stand in the way of our military getting paid. We need to get this bill on the floor and prove we mean it when we say we stand with our troops.”

“Our Service members agree to give life and limb for this great country. The bare minimum we owe them is a paycheck—no excuses, no delays,” said Congressman Brian Mast (FL-21). “There is no reason for our brave American warriors to suffer financially because Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries are dragging their feet on keeping the government open. We must not let partisan politics get in the way of supporting our troops.”

“It is unacceptable to let our men and women in uniform be denied pay over bickering and partisan politics in Washington,” said Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01). “Our servicemembers and their families face the same high grocery and gas prices hurting so many Americans. We must ensure they have financial stability to remain focused on the mission of protecting America’s national security. As a veteran, I thank Rep. Kiggans for leading this commonsense measure to protect our troops’ pay.”

“Congress has an obligation to ensure that our brave servicemembers receive the timely pay they deserve, and should we fail to reach a solution to fund the government, we must fulfill our responsibility to the men and women who keep our nation safe,” said Congressman Frank Mrvan (IN-01). “I am proud to join my colleagues in this bipartisan initiative to make sure our troops do not miss a paycheck.”

“I will continue to do everything in my power to protect servicemembers protecting our country at home and abroad,” said Congressman Zach Nunn (IA-03). “With the government spending deadline approaching, I will not allow our brave men and women in uniform to have their pay to be used as a pawn in a partisan political game. We cannot allow anything to jeopardize these benefits for America’s heroes.” 

“Our troops consistently put their lives on the line in defense of our nation and they deserve to be paid on time,” said Congressman Mike Rulli (OH-06). “That’s why I’m proud to cosponsor the Pay Our Troops Act, ensuring that service members can pay their bills regardless of federal funding status.”

“Our service members put their lives on the line and sacrifice precious time away from their families. They should not have to worry about their pay being affected by Washington politics. The job of protecting our nation does not stop if the government shuts down, and I am proud to support legislation to make sure their paychecks don’t stop either,” said Congressman Dale Strong (AL-05). “In addition to military service members, this legislation also protects the pay of the DoD and Coast Guard civilians and contractors that do critical work for our national defense, many of whom are my constituents.”

“Many servicemembers are already struggling to make ends meet and taking away their paychecks because Congress cannot do its job is wholly unacceptable,” said Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03). “Our military men and women risk their lives for our country. The least we can do is ensure they can put food on the table for their families.”

“As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, I am committed to ensuring that the Coast Guard and all our Armed Forces receive pay during a government shutdown,” said Congressman Daniel Webster (FL-11). “There is no greater sacrifice than that made by service members who are willing to give their lives and health defending the freedoms and beliefs for which America stands.”

Currently, the legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Kat Cammack (FL-03), John Carter (TX-31), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Don Davis (NC-01), Scott DesJarlais (TN-04), Pat Fallon (TX-04), Brad Finstad (MN-01), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Jared Golden (ME-02), Kay Granger (TX-12), Sam Graves (MO-06), Bill Huizenga (MI-04), Tom Kean (NJ-07), Young Kim (CA-40), Debbie Lesko (AZ-08), Barry Loudermilk (GA-11), Nancy Mace (SC-01), Brian Mast (FL-21), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), Rich McCormick (GA-06), Frank Mrvan (IN-01), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Zach Nunn (IA-03), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Michael Rulli (OH-06), Dale Strong (AL-05), Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), Daniel Webster (FL-11), and Brandon Williams (NY-22).

The Pay Our Troops Act is 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. You can read the full bill text here.

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