Pappas Calls to Protect Troops’ Pay Amidst Shutdown

Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) joined his colleagues to urge Speaker Johnson to bring Republican lawmakers back to work in D.C. to pass a bill that ensures troops are paid by the upcoming October 15 deadline.

“If Congress does not act by October 15th, nearly three million military families will miss their next paycheck. That’s unacceptable — our military families and troops deserve better,” wrote the lawmakers.

Lawmakers also highlighted past bipartisan efforts to pay our Armed Forces during a shutdown, writing, “Those who dedicate their lives to serving our country should never have to worry whether they will receive a paycheck, even during a government shutdown. During the 2013 government shutdown, Congress successfully passed the Pay Our Military Act, a similar bill which provided pay for members of the Armed Forces during a government shutdown. There is precedent for bringing legislation to pay our troops up for a vote during a shutdown and a record that shows Congress can come together for the benefit of our service members even while disagreeing on other matters.”

“This is a moment not only to support our troops, but also to show the American people and the world that our service members and our national security are above politics and the bedrock of our nation,” the lawmakers concluded. “We urge you to support America’s military members and bring legislation to ensure that there is no disruption in troop pay during this shutdown to the House Floor for a vote immediately.”

Earlier this year Pappas helped reintroduce the Pay Our Troops Act of 2026. This bipartisan legislation ensures that members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including those serving in the Coast Guard, continue to receive pay and benefits in the event of a government shutdown.

Full text of the letter is available here.