Legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate would ensure that military service members are paid in the event of a federal government shutdown. The federal government shutdown would begin on Oct. 1 if compromise isn’t reaching this week.
The proposed Pay Our Military Act of 2023, to cover pay for members of the U.S. Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard and Space Force, was announced on Tuesday.
Sponsors of the bill are Sens. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, Roger Wicker, R-Mass, and Ted Cruz, R-Texas. Sen. Lisa Murkowski is one of 11 co-sponsors of the bill along with other senate Republicans.
The measure would appropriate funds for members of the military including reservists. Funds would also cover civilian employees of the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, and contractors whom each department’s respective secretary determines are providing support to members of the armed forces.
“The last thing our brave men and women in uniform need to be worrying about is whether they will get a paycheck, and whether their families are taken care of back home,” said Sullivan. “I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to come together and pass our commonsense legislation to alleviate those concerns as we face a potential government shutdown.”
