McCollum Introduces Pay Our Military Act

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), a senior member of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, today introduced the Pay Our Military Act of 2018, H.R. 4871. This legislation provides pay to our servicemen and women, and death gratuities to the families of fallen heroes, during the Trump-Republican government shutdown.

"I grew up in a military family and I understand the sacrifices that our servicemembers and their families make. It is just plain wrong to ask our men and women in uniform to go without pay while they put their lives on the line for us," Congresswoman McCollum said. "The Pay Our Military Act ensures that our military is able to perform their duties during a shutdown without worrying about the financial security of their families."

The Pay Our Military Act provides appropriations for pay and support for the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard during the current shutdown and any potential future government shutdowns in fiscal year 2018. The House passed similar legislation on votes of 423-0 and 425-0 during the last shutdown in 2013, and both bills were enacted into law.

Funding for the federal government expired at midnight on Jan. 20 after President Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress failed to do their work on time and in good faith. The shutdown follows a series of short-term continuing resolutions that have deprived our military of the long-term budget certainty they need to keep our country safe.

"It is time for President Trump and the Republicans to end this chaos and work with us on a long-term budget deal that reopens our government, adequately funds our military, and upholds our commitments here at home," Congresswoman McCollum said.