2/27/13: When the federal government was on the verge of a budget-battle shutdown in April 2011, thousands of people — mostly military families — wrote personal, compelling messages to Congress in support of this bill. Their activity was so intense, it crashed POPVOX's servers for the first time. (See the Bill Report for the 112th Congress's Ensuring Pay for Our Military Act, S 724.)
What Happens to Military Pay in the Event of a Government Shutdown or the Debt Ceiling is Reached?
As the discussion in Congress turns to the debt ceiling, several bills have already been introduced about prioritizing military pay. Weigh in with POPVOX, and we will deliver your message to Congress — guaranteed.
- S 46 The Full Faith and Credit Act: A bill to protect Social Security benefits and military pay and require that the US Government prioritize all obligations on the debt held by the public in the event that the debt limit is reached.
- HR 247 The Ensuring the Full Faith and Credit of the United States and Protecting America's Soldiers and Seniors Act: To require that the US Government prioritize all obligations on the debt held by the public, Social Security benefits, and military pay in the event that the debt limit is reached.
- S 171 The Military Pay Continuation Act: A bill to appropriate such funds as may be necessary to ensure that members of the Armed Forces, including reserve components thereof, and supporting civilian and contractor personnel continue to receive pay and allowances for active service performed when a Governmentwide shutdown occurs.
- HR 342 The Guarantee Paychecks for America’s Military Families Act: To prioritize certain Government obligations for continued payment in the event that the statutory debt limit is reached, to appropriate funds for the pay and allowances of all members of the Armed Forces, and for those civilian employees of the Dept. of Defense and the Coast Guard serving in a combat zone.
- HR 55 The SHEILD Act: Requires, in the event that the U.S. public debt limit is reached, priority payment of the pay and allowances of: (1) members of the Armed Forces, including reserves, who perform active service; and (2) critical law enforcement officers employed by federal agencies.
- S 81 The Default Prevention Act: Requires the following to be granted priority over all other federally incurred obligations in the event that the public debt reaches the statutory limit: (1) the authority of the Department of the Treasury to pay with legal tender the principal and interest on debt held by the public; (2) the full payment of compensation, allowances, and benefits for members of the Armed Forces on active duty, (3) the authority of the Commissioner of Social Security to pay monthly Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (SSA); and (4) the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make payments for items and services furnished to beneficiaries under SSA title XVIII (Medicare) and related provisions.
Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.
