Bill would protect military pay in a government shutdown

A bill introduced in the Senate seeks to appropriate funds for the salaries of military personnel and supporting civilians and contractors in the event of a government shutdown.

The sponsors, Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., and Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., say the legislation, S.171, would ensure that members of the military did not suffer in the crossfire of Congress’ budget negotiations.

“We need to protect our military and critical civilian workers from the painful consequences of a government shutdown, and we can’t allow either side to use troops as leverage in political disputes," Udall wrote in a statement released on Tuesday.

The bill directs money to the Defense and Homeland Security departments to continue pay and allowances for active-service members of the armed services and Coast Guard, as well as civilian employees and government contractors supporting those personnel, should a government shutdown occur.

Moran said members of the military “deserve better than the uncertainty of a paycheck.” They should be “spared the consequences of Washington’s indecision,” he added. “It is the least we can do for those who give so much.”

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