Republican House Bill Seeks to Protect Military Salaries in Event of Government Shutdown

Mike Coffman
Mike Coffman

Just in case Republicans close down the government over the Affordable Care Act, they are seeking to protect military personnel with a bill to keep salaries flowing despite a locked-down government.

Congress has until midnight on Monday, when the fiscal year ends, to pass a bill to fund the government. After that deadline current appropriations expire and new ones need to be set, a task that has not yet happened.

The bill will also guarantee that civilian employees of the Defense Department and contractors for the Pentagon who “are providing support to members of the Armed Forces” will also continue to get paid.

The proposal, which was sponsored by Representative Mike Coffman of Colorado, could go to a vote as early as Saturday night in the House. Afterward it will need to go to the Senate for approval.

“Our troops should never pay the price when Washington can’t settle its disagreements,” said Brendan Buck, a spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner Republican from Ohio.

Alyssa Anderson

Alyssa Anderson has been involved in the world of business on several levels for many years. She was the CEO of a start-up high-tech company until its purchase by a global on-line e-business. Alyssa helped formulate marketing strategies for several other companies as an independent consultant, and she has advised local government on methods to achieve appropriate fiscal responsibility. Her opinions are well known through her many editorials which have been published throughout her career in a variety of local and national print media. She has been heard on radio discussing current issues affecting the business community and Alyssa hopes to bring her special brand of commonsense coupled with uncanny insight into her editorial responsibilities as the Business Page editor for Left Justified. Contact Alyssa at alyssa(at)leftjustified.com.

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