PROPOSED PAY OUR TROOPS ACT AIMS TO SAVE MILITARY INCOMES BEFORE SHUTDOWN


By bblouin
Master Sgt. Tronh Colley, 524th CSSB Command Sergeant Major helps unload some of the 1,020 items donated January 29 at Barbers Point Naval Air Station, Hawaii, to help Coast Guard families in need after the government shut down. The Pay Our Troops Act has been introduced to avoid cutting military pay if the government shuts down on September 30, 2023.

Since our country’s existence, the government has shut down 14 times. On September 30, 2023, it could happen again. When these shutdowns loom, there is a threat to those within the military community because while serving is an honorable cause, it’s also their livelihood. Furthermore, this extends to the civilian workers who also perform vital duties alongside those enlisted and commissioned to ensure that America's military functions at the highest level. The Pay Our Troops Act is a bill that looks to provide payment for the U.S. military, contractors, and civilians who may otherwise lose their income during the shutdown should it happen. Here’s everything you need to know. Related read: Will Military & Veteran Pay be Affected by a Government Shutdown?

Congresswoman Jen Kiggans Has Introduced the Pay Our Troops Act

Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) is bringing attention to the fact that a government shutdown will affect many in the military community and those adjacent to the military community if they go without pay. In order to fix an ongoing issue that many have decried through ongoing shutdown negotiations, Kiggans introduced the Pay Our Troops Act, with many other lawmakers joining the cause. If passed, the bill will provide military members, which includes the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), civilian employees who are working for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), and even contractors with paychecks. If it doesn’t pass, or a bill like it, should the government shut down, the DoD will not have funding to provide the Armed Forces, civilian employees, or contractors with their income. Back pay would be available once the shutdown is over and funding becomes available again, but in the meantime, everyone counting on a paycheck to get by would be in limbo. Over 200,000 in the military community face food insecurity issues. In total, there are well over 650,000 civilian employees that would be affected and around 200,000 are deemed too essential to cease working. They'll be expected to work without pay in the event of a shutdown.

Patriotism and Paychecks

Serving in the military may be honorable and noble, but it’s still a job and those serving will need to cover their bills in some way. Not that additional reasons are needed to maintain a secure paycheck in exchange for labor hours, but recent economic factors are only complicating things further. Food insecurity is a persisting issue for the military community. Inflation is a problem for everyone. There are financial benefits to discuss, personal finance factors that can be affected, housing benefits as well. The list goes on. Anyone can love their country and take pride in the work they perform, but at the same time, they're going to need to pay their bills. The cost of living is already a rising pressure for American families and a lack of income in the midst of a delicate financial ecosystem will only make matters worse. Suggested read: Behind the Decline in Veteran Homelessness Post-Pandemic Realistically, both civilians and active duty service members would face problems at home that would also leak into work. Being distracted and non-motivated is a common issue for workers. A lack of food and proper nutrition leads to a drop in performance and health outcomes, and losing sleep due to stress will do the same. The stakes are higher than a high schooler in a summer job for the first time. We’re talking about those dedicated to maintaining the systems that secure America's national security. Finding a solution to provide compensation even if there is a government shutdown is a critical decision that needs to be made. And this has happened before. An agreement was met to avoid this very issue in 2013.

The Pay Our Military Act (H.R. 3210) in 2013 Provides a Viable Precedent

The Pay Our Military Act (H.R. 3210) is a Federal law that passed on September 30, 2013, because Washington D.C. couldn't get it together and a shutdown was once again looming. The bill provided funding for FY 2014 to allow for military salaries to be fulfilled and was passed with only hours to spare. Both the House and the Senate passed the bill unanimously. Interpretation of the law also allowed at least most of the hardworking civilians who assist the military with defending the nation to continue to work. Due to the fact that Congress had yet to provide approval for compensation before the fiscal year began, the shutdown occurred. This ongoing problem of military pay that continues to come up time and time again appears to be completely avoidable. Furthermore, there's somewhat recent proof that even if a government shutdown does occur, there is no excuse not to pay those defending their nation. At the end of the day, the lawmakers that refuse to see eye-to-eye for whatever reason it is this week aren’t the ones rescuing people after natural disasters, providing humanitarian care, defending Americans from terrorists, or training to maintain operational readiness. The Pay Our Military Act shouldn’t be necessary, but if it is, there’s no reason it shouldn't pass. Regardless of political affiliations or beliefs, it’s clear that for morale, national security, and simply because it’s the right thing to do, the U.S. military deserves pay even through political disagreements. Read next: The Top 10 Best Charities for Veterans To Donate Time & Money To


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