Congress Must Act Now to Prevent Shutdown
Once again, we are watching the clock tick toward a potential government shutdown. Congress has until 11:59 p.m. ET today to prevent a shutdown.
A shutdown would likely leave military families—many of whom struggle to make ends meet—without the pay, programs, and support they rely on. While service members will receive backpay in the event of a government shutdown, if it lasts beyond two (2) weeks, the impact will hit military families hard and fast.
Worsening the crisis, the risk of another government shutdown comes just as federal agencies face a deadline to submit plans for a large-scale reduction in force (RIF), aimed at swiftly downsizing the federal workforce—disproportionately impacting veterans and military spouses in government positions. Adding to the strain, the upcoming peak PCS season and ongoing issues with the military moving system create even more obstacles for military families, who are already navigating countless challenges simply because they choose to serve.
The stakes are high, and it appears that military and veteran families are facing constant barriers at nearly every turn. Politics may be complicated, but the solution to the threats facing military families is simple.
The National Military Family Association calls on Congress to:
- Pass legislation that will protect pay for active duty and reserve members of the Armed Forces, including the Coast Guard—such as the “Pay Our Troops Act,” which Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) recently reintroduced;
- Fully fund military family programs, as well as non-defense programs relied on by military families, such as SNAP, WIC, and Impact Aid.
We cannot expect our military to focus on their mission when their families at home may not be able to put food on the table, and we cannot expect our military families to continue to make sacrifices for our national security without a strong message from Congress that their service is worth it.
