Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to Stand with Hawai‘i’s Military Families and Federal Employees In Possible Government Shutdown
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) today announced that for as long as our troops, law enforcement, and federal employees are not paid in event of a government shutdown on Oct. 1, she will return her pay to the U.S. Treasury. She has heard from active duty servicemembers and federal workers from Hawai‘i and across the country who are deeply concerned about the impacts of a government shutdown, loss of pay, and how that will affect their families and our economy. Hawai‘i is home to over 47,000 military servicemembers and 25,000 federal employees.
“The people of Hawai‘i and across the country expect Congress to do its job and find a reasonable solution to keep our government running,” said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. “If a common-sense agreement is not reached, our hard-working troops, law enforcement and other essential personnel will continue to report for duty while receiving no pay, leaving their families at home with nothing but uncertainty. I sincerely hope a government shutdown does not occur, but if no deal is struck by next Tuesday, then Members of Congress should not be exempt from its very real, tough consequences. In a shutdown, tens of thousands of Hawai‘i families will bear this burden; I want them to know I will stand with them.”
Yesterday, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard introduced legislation to ensure servicemembers and critical Defense Department civilian workers will 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.
