Kiggans Leads Bipartisan Push to Guarantee Military Pay During Government Shutdowns

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02), a Navy veteran and member of the House Armed Services Committee, introduced the Pay Our Troops Act of 2026. This bipartisan legislation ensures that members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the Coast Guard, continue receiving pay and benefits in the event of a government shutdown.

"Our servicemembers should never have to worry about missing a paycheck because Washington can't do its job," said Congresswoman Kiggans. "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."

The authority would remain in effect until regular appropriations are enacted or until January 1, 2027.

In the 118th Congress, the Pay Our Troops Act earned the support of more than 100 bipartisan cosponsors, including members of the House Armed Services and Appropriations Committees. With the possibility of future shutdowns, the legislation reaffirms a simple principle: those who serve our nation in uniform should never be caught in the middle of Washington's political stalemates.

"Military service is more than a career; it's a commitment to defend this nation at all costs," Kiggans added. "This legislation ensures that we honor the commitment of our troops by guaranteeing their pay, no matter what happens in Washington."

"Our servicemembers should never have to question whether they will receive a paycheck for standing guard over our nation. The Pay Our Troops Act of 2026 is a common-sense, bipartisan measure that ensures those in uniform, as well as the civilians and contractors who support them, are protected from the political uncertainty of government shutdowns. At IAVA, we strongly support this legislation because it reaffirms a simple truth: when our troops uphold their promise to serve, our nation must uphold its promise to pay them," said Dr. Kyleanne Hunter, CEO, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).

"Our military is willing to do their job for the country, which often puts their lives at risk. We just ask that Congress do their job to keep the government running and get us paid," said Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO, Blue Star Families.

"The Pay Our Troops Act ensures our servicemembers are paid on time, even if government funding stalls," said Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret), President and CEO of MOAA. "As they continue to stand watch and defend our nation, they should never have to wonder whether their paychecks will arrive. This legislation provides the financial certainty military families deserve, protecting them from the instability of government shutdowns while they protect us."

"Financial stability shouldn't be on the line while military families must continue to serve. Military families deserve the paychecks, benefits, and the safety nets they rely on to make ends meet and service possible. We urge Congress to pass the Pay Our Troops Act immediately and show our service members and their families their sacrifice is worth it," said Besa Pinchotti, CEO.

Original co-sponsors: Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Nancy Mace (SC-01), Thomas Kean (NJ-07), Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Zach Nunn (IA-03), Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), James Moylan (GU), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Rob Wittman (VA-01), Lauren Boebert (CO-04), Cory Mills (FL-07), Bill Huizenga (MI-04), Mike Ezell (MS-04), Mark Messmer (IN-08), Barry Loudermilk (GA-11), Don Bacon (NE-02), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), Derek Tran (CA-45), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Greg Murphy (NC-03), Sam Graves (MO-06), Rich McCormick (GA-07), Carlos Gimenez (FL-28), Jeff Crank (CO-05), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Don Davis (NC-01), Dale Strong (AL-05), Rob Bresnahan (PA-08), Mike Turner (OH-10), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Derek Schmidt (KS-02), Pete Stauber (MN-08), Wesley Hunt (TX-38), Aaron Bean (FL-04), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Jared Golden (ME-02), John McGuire (VA-05), Daniel Webster (FL-11), Randy Feenstra (IA-04), Scott Franklin (FL-18), Jeff Hurd (CO-03), Abraham Hamadeh (AZ-08), Mike Kelly (PA-16), Morgan Luttrell (TX-08), Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Brad Finstad (MN-01), Kevin Self (TX-03)

Endorsing Organizations: National Military Family Association, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, United Steelworkers, Blue Star Families, and the Military Officers Association of America

Background:

The Pay Our Troops Act of 2026 guarantees pay and allowances for:

• Active-duty servicemembers, including members of the Coast Guard and Reserve Components;
• Civilian personnel at the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security (for the Coast Guard) who directly support servicemembers; and
• Contractors providing mission-essential support to servicemembers.

Read the bill here.

Read the one-pager here.