Is the military getting paid during the shutdown?

Is the Military Getting Paid During the Shutdown?

The United States government has been partially shut down since December 22, 2018, due to a funding dispute between Congress and the Trump administration. As the shutdown continues, many government employees are affected, including those in the military. But what about the pay for military personnel? Is the military getting paid during the shutdown?

Direct Answer

Yes, the military is still receiving pay during the shutdown. According to the Department of Defense (DoD), military personnel will continue to receive their regular pay and benefits, including base pay, basic allowance for housing (BAH), and basic allowance for subsistence (BAS). This is because the DoD is funded through appropriations bills, which are separate from the federal government’s annual budget.

Why is the Military Not Affected?

There are several reasons why the military is not directly affected by the government shutdown:

• The military is funded through the defense appropriations bill: As mentioned earlier, the DoD is funded through appropriations bills, which are separate from the federal government’s annual budget. This means that the military’s pay and benefits are not dependent on the government’s ability to pass a budget.
• The military is essential to national security: The military is considered essential to national security, and its functions cannot be interrupted or reduced during a government shutdown.
• The military has a separate budget process: The military has a separate budget process that is independent of the federal government’s budget process. This allows the military to continue functioning even if the government is shut down.

What About Government Contractors?

Government contractors, on the other hand, are not so lucky. Most government contractors are not being paid during the shutdown, as their contracts are typically funded through the federal budget. This means that many government contractors, including those who work on military projects, are not receiving pay or benefits during the shutdown.

Who is Affected?

The following individuals and groups are affected by the government shutdown:

• Federal employees: Many federal employees, including those who work in non-essential positions, are not being paid during the shutdown. This includes employees in various government agencies, such as the Department of Defense, the Department of State, and the Department of Health and Human Services.
• Government contractors: As mentioned earlier, most government contractors are not being paid during the shutdown. This includes contractors who work on military projects, as well as those who work in other areas of the government.
• Federal agencies: Many federal agencies are not functioning during the shutdown, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Federal Reserve, and the National Park Service.

Timeline of the Shutdown

Here is a timeline of the government shutdown:

• December 22, 2018: The government shuts down due to a funding dispute between Congress and the Trump administration.
• December 24, 2018: The DoD announces that military personnel will continue to receive pay and benefits during the shutdown.
• January 12, 2019: The government partially reopens for three weeks, but a long-term deal is not reached.
• February 15, 2019: The government partially reopens again, but another shutdown is avoided at the last minute.
• March 2019: The government reaches a temporary deal to fund the government for another three months.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the military is still receiving pay and benefits during the government shutdown. This is because the DoD is funded through appropriations bills, which are separate from the federal government’s annual budget. While government contractors and federal employees are affected by the shutdown, military personnel are not. The shutdown is having significant impacts on the government and its employees, but the military is not one of them.

Important Points:

• Military personnel will continue to receive pay and benefits during the shutdown.
• Government contractors are not being paid during the shutdown.
• The DoD is funded through appropriations bills, which are separate from the federal government’s annual budget.
• The military is essential to national security and cannot be interrupted or reduced during a government shutdown.

Table: Government Agencies Affected by the Shutdown

Bullets: Key Points

• The military is still receiving pay and benefits during the shutdown.
• Government contractors are not being paid during the shutdown.
• The DoD is funded through appropriations bills, which are separate from the federal government’s annual budget.
• The military is essential to national security and cannot be interrupted or reduced during a government shutdown.
• The shutdown is having significant impacts on the government and its employees, but the military is not one of them.