Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Call to Protect Military Pay is Heard in House Today

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) today announced that active-duty servicemembers may continue to receive pay in the event for a government shutdown. House leaders indicated they would hold a vote this evening on a measure to continue pay for servicemembers.

“Our troops on the front lines and their families back home do not deserve to be the victims of partisan games in Washington,” said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. “Ensuring our troops continue to be paid is common sense and I’m glad that our call to protect these selfless heroes is being heard.  While it’s encouraging that this provision to pay our servicemembers in the event of a shutdown is being considered, it does little to prevent a government shutdown in the first place.  By Monday night, Congress must work together and pass a reasonable solution, or risk a damaging shutdown that hurts our hard-working families and our economy.”

Last week, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard introduced legislation to ensure servicemembers and critical Defense Department civilian workers would continue to receive pay in the event of a shutdown. The bill, the Military Pay Protection Act (H.R. 3187), would also fund National Guard disaster relief efforts.

The proposed funding bill will also include a provision to extend the Special Immigrant Visa program for Iraqis who aided the U.S. military during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has been a vocal supporter of the program, which follows through on America’s promise to protect the Iraqis who have risked their lives to aid our troops and protect America’s security. In June, she introduced a successful amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act to improve and reform the program.