National security has taken a front-row seat in the messaging war over the federal government shutdown. But that doesn’t mean a bill to continue military pay would sail through Congress.
Lawmakers have a short window to move legislation before Oct. 15, when troops are slated to miss their first paychecks if the shutdown continues.
The bill is from Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), and it has support from 68 Republicans and 23 Democrats. It would cover military service and Coast Guard members.
In some past shutdowns, Congress has moved to make sure troops get paid. But this clash seems different.
It’s not clear whether GOP leadership would be inclined to take up the Kiggans bill. Republicans believe they have the upper hand in the shutdown fight and have been looking to make the government closure as painful as possible for Democrats.
One day into the shutdown. Republicans have been hitting Democrats hard for the threat they say the lapse in funding poses to national security.
But Democrats have been pointing fingers right back at GP leaders. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), the top Democrat on the Armed Services personnel panel, repeatedly told us “You’d have to ask the Republicans” when we asked about passage of a standalone military pay bill and whether she’d support the measure.
Other lawmakers are pushing for a quick resolution of the shutdown crisis. “My hope is that we can negotiate a way out of this within one pay period,” Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) told us.
Outside military groups have already started weighing in. The National Guard Association of the United States has urged congressional leaders to pass Kiggans’ bill. And more letters are coming, NGAUS President Francis McGinn told us Wednesday.
