Congressman introduces bill to pay troops in event of shutdown

A congressman has introduced legislation to keep paying U.S. troops in the event of government shutdown.

“Our soldiers, airman, sailors and Marines cannot go on furlough, so it is inexcusable for them to go without pay in the event of a government shutdown,” Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.) said in a press release.

Congress is expected to pass a stopgap spending measure Wednesday that would keep the government open. The measure keeps funding at current levels — including funding for Planned Parenthood — but conservatives aren’t expected to have enough votes to block the measure.

Still, if there’s a last-minute political snag, the government will shut down at midnight.

The Pentagon has alerted troops they would work as normal in the event of shutdown and wouldn’t be paid until Congress appropriates funding.

A similar bill to Coffman’s was passed in 2013, the last time there was a government shutdown.

In addition to troops, Coffman’s bill would cover the paychecks of Defense Department civilians and contractors needed to support service members, as well as National Guard troops activated in an emergency declaration.

“As a Marine Corps combat veteran, I understand how important it is for our service members to focus on protecting us and our nation and not on whether they can keep food on the table and the lights on at home,” Coffman said. “Paying our military should not be a casualty of left or right squabbling.”