Government shutdown forces military personnel to work without pay

In the United States, a government shutdown was triggered after Senate Democrats blocked a House-passed spending plan, missing an essential deadline on Wednesday morning. This impasse means that active-duty military personnel, along with National Guard members currently deployed, are mandated to continue their assignments without receiving their salaries promptly. Those civilian workers considered essential by the Department of War will also continue to work, with around 406,000 of the approximately 741,000 civilian employees expected to report for duty despite the shutdown. However, those whose roles are deemed non-essential will be furloughed. This situation arises from Congress’s failure to agree upon a funding deal ahead of the impending October 1 deadline. The Department of Defense has outlined its contingency plans, emphasizing the continuation of critical missions and how leftover funds from past legislation might be applied to maintain ongoing operations. Significant missions include securing the U.S. Southern Border and various projects concerning missile defense and military readiness. Despite the lack of pay during the shutdown, provisions exist to ensure that service members are supported after the crisis concludes, including the automatic issuance of back pay under the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019. However, a timely approach is crucial, as the first paycheck post-shutdown may indeed see delays unless Congress expedites a passing of relevant legislation, akin to previous instances in similar circumstances. Additionally, there’s a potential delay in military pay affecting the upcoming pay period after October 1, raising concerns among service members and their families about financial stability during the shutdown. Past experiences during government shutdowns have illustrated how financial institutions, including Navy Federal Credit Union and USAA, have stepped up to offer specific loan assistance. They are expected to provide similar support again if the current situation escalates, ensuring that affected military members have access to the necessary financial resources to overcome the burden of delayed pay. This provision of loans and assistance is particularly vital for managing routine expenses, mortgage repayments, and various financial obligations that service members may encounter while navigating the uncertainties of their compensation schedules.