When Congress can't agree on a budget, military families worry about whether paychecks will arrive on time. For service members, a government shutdown raises a pressing concern: will they receive their pay?
The Pay Our Troops Act of 2026 (H.R. 5401) directly addresses this concern. If it becomes law, military pay will continue during any government shutdown in 2026, ensuring timely payments to servicemembers, Coast Guard members, and activated reservists—no matter what happens in Congress. Representative Jen Kiggans of Virginia is sponsoring this landmark bill.
“Our servicemembers should never have to worry about missing a paycheck because Washington can’t do its job.” – Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA). “As a former Navy helicopter pilot, wife of a veteran, and Mom of a servicemember, I know firsthand the sacrifices military families make every single day. The last thing they should face is financial uncertainty caused by partisan gridlock. This bill is about one thing: keeping faith with those who keep us free.”
What’s Actually in the Bill?
The text of the Pay Our Troops Act of 2026 makes clear who’s covered. It appropriates “such sums as are necessary” to keep paying:
- All active-duty servicemembers across the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard.
- Reserve and National Guard members, when called to active service.
- Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security civilians directly supporting those missions.
- Contractors identified as essential to supporting servicemembers.
This funding will continue until either a full budget is approved or January 1, 2027, whichever occurs first.
The bill is based on the 2013 Pay Our Military Act, which kept paychecks coming during that year's shutdown.
Why This Matters to Military Families
Missing a paycheck can start a chain of late bills, bank fees, or tough choices about which expenses to delay.
Military families already manage deployments, PCS moves, and child care shortages. Added financial stress from a shutdown is a burden they shouldn’t bear.
The Pay Our Troops Act of 2026 aims to eliminate financial uncertainty for military families by guaranteeing pay during a shutdown.
This assurance helps maintain morale and lets service members focus on their mission.
The Coast Guard Is Highlighted
During past shutdowns, the Coast Guard was especially at risk because it is funded by the Department of Homeland Security, not the Department of Defense. As a result, Coast Guard pay lacked the same safeguards as other branches.
This bill clearly states that the Coast Guard is included, making sure every branch is protected if the budget process stalls again.
In 2013, servicemembers had to wait until Congress passed a temporary pay fix. The Pay Our Troops Act of 2026 applies this lesson: with this law, troops will avoid the same stress in a future shutdown.
The Current Status of the Bill
The bill was introduced in September 2025 and was sent to the House Appropriations Committee. It has support from both parties, with over 90 co-sponsors, but it has not yet reached a floor vote.
Until it becomes law, military pay remains tied to the broader budget debate in Congress. Some concerns about the bill include the potential for added deficit costs or creating a precedent for piecemeal funding of government functions.
However, supporters argue that securing military pay during shutdowns is a priority that outweighs these concerns. They emphasize the importance of financial stability for servicemembers and believe that the costs are justified by the necessity to support those who protect the country.
Why It Matters Right Now
The Pay Our Troops Act of 2026 does not solve all shutdown issues. But it addresses the key concern for servicemembers and families, ensuring they do not lose pay.
Serving the country should never mean facing financial uncertainty. If this bill becomes law, military families will have peace of mind knowing that pay will continue for all active-duty and Coast Guard personnel, even during a shutdown.
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