WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), joined his colleagues in introducing the Pay Our Military Act of 2023, which would appropriate funds to pay U.S. military servicemembers in the event of a government shutdown in Fiscal Year 2024.

Additionally, the legislation would fund the civilian personnel at the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security. 

“Servicemembers answered the call and faithfully protect our country and national security, whether overseas or at home, regardless of the circumstances,” said Senator Cramer. “Our troops keep defending our nation during shutdowns and we should recognize their dedication by ensuring they are paid regardless of how well Congress fulfills its own duty to fund the government.”

U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Ted Cruz (R-TX) led the legislation. Additional cosponsors include U.S. Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Ted Budd (R-NC), Steve Daines (R-MT), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Rick Scott (R-FL), J.D. Vance (R-OH), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).

“Our military service members dedicate their lives to their country, and the least we can do is ensure their paychecks arrive on time,” said Senator Wicker said. “Extending pay for our service members would demonstrate that legislators mean it when they say ‘thank you for your service,’ and it would ensure that military readiness does not become a casualty of Congressional negotiation.”

“We have entered the most dangerous period in American history since the end of World War II—a new era of authoritarian aggression led by the dictators in Beijing and Moscow,” said Senator Sullivan. “All Americans count on our military members to be ready to respond to threats to the homeland, wherever and whenever they may arise. The last thing our brave men and women in uniform need to be worrying about is whether they will get a paycheck, and whether their families are taken care of back home. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to come together and pass our commonsense legislation to alleviate those concerns as we face a potential government shutdown. Senators and congressmen often like to say how much they support our military members—now they have an opportunity to show it.”

“Following the blockage of my bicameral, bipartisan legislation, the Pay Our Coast Guard Act, by some Senate Democrats, it has become apparent that there are politicians in this chamber who intend to leave parts of our military unfunded in the event of a government shutdown,” said Senator Cruz. “Defunding our military dangerously undermines our national security and hinders the men and women who bravely protect Texas and our great nation. I urge all of my colleagues—on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers—to pass this legislation expeditiously and pay our military in the event of a government shutdown.”

Click here for bill text.