Will military be paid during government shutdown?

Will Military Be Paid During Government Shutdown?

A government shutdown is a scenario in which the government ceases to operate due to the inability of the federal government to pass a budget or continuing resolution (CR) to fund its activities. In the United States, this has occurred 21 times since 1976. One of the pressing concerns during a government shutdown is the payment of government employees, including the military. In this article, we will delve into whether the military will be paid during a government shutdown and the implications of this situation.

Direct Answer: Yes, Military Will Be Paid

Contrary to popular opinion, the military will be paid during a government shutdown. Section 644(a) of Title VI of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1974, which has been amended and reauthorized several times since then, ensures that active-duty personnel continue to receive their salaries without interruption.

Here’s why:

• Active-duty personnel are not subject to furlough: Military personnel are considered essential government employees, which means they cannot be furloughed or forced to take unpaid leave.
• Pay is exempt from stopgap funding limitations: As part of the government funding process, lawmakers exempt pay for active-duty personnel from stopgap funding limitations.
• Prior appropriation still applies: Any unspent funds from prior fiscal year appropriations are still available to pay military personnel.

This means that as long as the government has previously budgeted for the military personnel’s salaries, they will continue to receive their paychecks without interruption, regardless of the shutdown.

What About Reservists and National Guardsmen?

While active-duty personnel are exempt from furloughs, reserve and National Guard components are not considered essential employees and may be affected by a government shutdown. Here’s what this means for them:

• No pay for inactive-duty drill: Reserve and National Guardsmen who perform inactive-duty training (drill weekends) may not receive pay for those days if they are not certified by their state or the Department of Defense.
• Discretionary leave may be granted: While not entitled to pay, reserve and National Guardsmen may receive discretionary leave during a government shutdown, which would not affect their civilian jobs.
• Mandatory mobilization pay remains unaffected: If reserve and National Guardsmen are called to active duty, their pay is still guaranteed, even during a government shutdown.

Impact on Defense Operations and Military Readiness

While the military personnel themselves may not be directly affected, a government shutdown can have significant implications for defense operations and military readiness:

• Reduced maintenance and training: Many maintenance, training, and other critical activities may be suspended or delayed, impacting military preparedness.
• Mission support and logistical services may be curtailed: Support services, such as medical care, food service, and laundry, might be reduced or discontinued, affecting the daily lives of military personnel.
• Communication and other critical services may be impacted: Essential services, like satellite communications, may be unavailable or curtailed, disrupting operational coordination and situational awareness.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the answer to whether the military will be paid during a government shutdown is yes, active-duty personnel will continue to receive their salaries without interruption. However, reserve and National Guardsmen may face more uncertainty, as their pay and benefits could be impacted. The overall impact on defense operations and military readiness will depend on the specific circumstances of the shutdown, but it’s clear that a government shutdown can have far-reaching consequences for our national security and military effectiveness.

Timeline of Federal Government Shutdowns

Here is a table outlining the timeline of federal government shutdowns in the United States:

Note: This is not an exhaustive list of government shutdowns, but rather a selection of significant shutdowns since 1976.