Future of ‘Pay Our Troops Act’ remains uncertain as shutdown nears

No active-duty service members, Defense Department civilian employees or defense contractors will be paid on time in the event of a shutdown unless Congress passes separate legislation similar to the 2013 Pay Our Military Act, which guaranteed continued military pay and allowances during a government shutdown that year.

In 2013, the Pay Our Military Act was introduced in the House on Sept. 28, passed by the Senate and signed into law by the president on Sept. 30 — just hours before government funding lapsed.

But a similar bill introduced earlier this month by Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) to ensure continued pay and benefits for armed services departments, including the Coast Guard, civilian employees and contractors, has yet to advance out of committee.

When asked about the bill’s chances of moving through committee, Kiggans’ office did not address its path forward but told Federal News Network in a statement, “House Republicans kept our word — we voted to keep the government open and to ensure paychecks go out to our troops and government services remain uninterrupted. Democrats’ insistence on shutting down the government jeopardizes both our national security and the financial security of millions of working families. That’s not leadership — that’s recklessness.”

While the Oct. 1 paychecks for service members and civilian employees will go out as scheduled, the first pay period that could be impacted by a shutdown is Oct. 15.

“As a Navy veteran, I know firsthand that our service members can’t afford Washington’s dysfunction. That’s why I introduced the bipartisan Pay Our Troops Act to guarantee that our men and women in uniform, and those who support them, are paid even during a government shutdown. They’ve honored their oath — it’s time for Washington to honor them by ensuring they don’t miss a paycheck,” Kiggans told Federal News Network in a statement. 

Some credit unions, banks and military assistance organizations have begun offering programs and resources for service members and civilian employees to help cover expenses if their pay gets delayed.

Navy Federal Credit Union, for instance, said it would “offer 0% APR loans to eligible members whose pay may be affected, continuing a tradition of assistance seen during previous shutdowns in 2011, 2013 and 2018-2019, when nearly 20,000 members received support.”

USAA said impacted employees would be “able to apply for a no-interest loan equal to the amount of one net paycheck, up to $6,000.” Members are also eligible for various payment relief offers across USAA banking and insurance products.

Organizations such as Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society will be available to assist with immediate needs like food, gas and utilities if service members’ financial institutions do not offer paycheck protection options. NMCRS offices will remain open during normal hours.

Army Emergency Relief also offers interest-free loans equal for soldiers and families facing financial hardship during a shutdown.

The Defense Department released its contingency plan over the weekend, laying out its priorities, including the U.S. southern border, Middle East operations, Golden Dome for America, depot maintenance, shipbuilding and munitions. Efforts supporting these activities will continue during a funding lapse if they are already resourced with money that hasn’t expired.

All service members on active duty, including reserve component personnel on federal active duty, will continue to report for duty, but they won’t receive a paycheck until the government reopens.

The guidance estimates that about 334,900 civilian employees at the Defense Department will be furloughed in the event of a government shutdown, while roughly 406,600 civilians will be expected to work during a shutdown.

Similarly, neither furloughed nor excepted employees are paid during a shutdown, although they are guaranteed back pay once the government reopens.

While the White House Office of Management and Budget said that some civilians would be laid off during a shutdown, the Defense Department’s guidance does not call for cuts to its civilian workforce.

Several organizations, including the Software in Defense Coalition, the Alliance for Commercial Technology in Government, and the Defense Entrepreneurship Forum have called on Congress to advance the Pay Our Troops Act to “protect uniformed personnel—and, ideally, essential civilian and contractor staff—from the financial strain of political gridlock.”

If you would like to contact this reporter about recent changes in the federal government, please email anastasia.obis@federalnewsnetwork.com or reach out on Signal at (301) 830-2747.

Copyright © 2026 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.