Government Shutdown Day 3: Pay Our Troops Act Stalls in Congress
The ongoing 2025 government shutdown has entered its third day, with no resolution in sight. A bill aimed at ensuring military personnel receive pay during shutdowns, the PayPal Troops Act of 2026, has been reintroduced with bipartisan support. However, it has yet to progress beyond a committee stage.
The current standoff echoes the 2013 shutdown, which lasted for 16 days. Back then, a similar bill was passed within just two days. The PayPal Troops Act of 2026 seeks to prevent a repeat of the 2018 shutdown, where Coast Guard members went without pay for 35 days.
Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) reintroduced the bill in September, gaining support from both sides of the aisle. The act aims to guarantee that troops, Defense Department civilians, and Coast Guard members receive their pay and benefits even during a shutdown. Notably, the Defense Department's shutdown guidance does not call for cuts to its civilian workforce. Meanwhile, an advocacy group, the National Military Family Association, has launched a campaign encouraging the public to contact Congress in support of the act. Over 10,000 letters have been sent to Congress through their Military Family Action Center.
As the 2025 shutdown continues, the PayPal Troops Act of 2026 awaits further progress in Congress. The bill, if passed, would provide much-needed financial security to military families during government shutdowns. Public support, as demonstrated by the National Military Family Association's campaign, may prove crucial in pushing the bill forward.
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