Legislation by U.S. Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) would ensure that members of the armed forces would continue to be paid in the event of a government shutdown.
The proposed legislation, the “Pay Our Patriots” Act, would guarantee that active-duty military members, reservists and support personnel are paid during a federal government shutdown. The bill has been introduced in the House and companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate. Several versions of the legislation have been introduced both in the current Congress and in prior sessions.
“The people who defend us, keeping our skies safe and serving our country, deserve better than to be treated like bargaining chips. By ensuring that they’re paid, we guarantee America’s security,” Mast said. “This bill is about putting our national defense first and honoring the commitment of those who reported to duty every single day—whether or not they’d be fairly compensated.”
The legislation was introduced on Thursday and referred to the Committee on Appropriations, as well as the Committees on Armed Services, and Transportation and Infrastructure.
Currently, military members are required to work as excepted personnel of the federal government, and are required to perform their duties, but their pay is delayed until the shutdown ends by Congress either passing an appropriations bill or a continuing resolution to fund the government until an appropriations bill can be passed. Once the shutdown is over, members of the military are guaranteed to receive back pay.
The Pay Our Patriots Act would guarantee pay for members of the Armed Forces, the Coast Guard and for air traffic controllers during any future federal shutdown.