Military gets guaranteed pay during shutdown; other feds don't
S. 876 — Pay Our Military Act of 2025 · Filed by Dan Sullivan (R-AK) · 2 cosponsors · Introduced Mar 6, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill ensures that military personnel, Defense Department civilians, and defense contractors supporting active-duty troops continue to receive pay during a government shutdown in 2025. It appropriates whatever funds are necessary to keep these payments flowing until either a full appropriations bill passes, a continuing resolution is enacted, or January 1, 2026, whichever comes first.
Why we flagged it
The bill's sole function is to ensure uninterrupted pay for military personnel and supporting civilian/contractor staff during a government shutdown. It is a narrow, targeted appropriation designed to prevent service-member hardship.
What the text implies
- Contractors supporting military operations are explicitly included in the appropriation, meaning private defense contractors receive guaranteed payment during shutdown — a benefit not extended to most federal contractors.
- The bill grants Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security discretion to determine which civilian and contractor personnel 'support' active-duty troops, creating potential for expansive interpretation of who qualifies.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
defense contractors; military personnel (as wage-earners); defense department civilian employees