119-S-3002 Journalist Public Summary
119 · S 3002 Pay Our Military Act of 2025
A narrowly tailored bill to guarantee pay for service members—and certain DoD/DHS support staff and contractors—if the government shuts down during FY2026; it was introduced on October 9, 2025 and sent to the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Headline Summary
Keep paying troops (and designated support staff/contractors) during any FY2026 government shutdown; ends once regular funding passes or by January 1, 2027, whichever comes first.
What It Does
S. 3002, the “Pay Our Military Act of 2025,” would automatically fund pay and allowances for active-duty members of the Armed Forces during any lapse in FY2026 appropriations. It also allows pay for certain Department of Defense and Coast Guard civilian personnel and contractors if their departments deem them necessary to support those service members. Coverage stops when Congress enacts broader funding or on January 1, 2027.
- Applies during FY2026 shutdown periods only.
- Covers: service members; select DoD/DHS (for Coast Guard) civilian employees; and select contractors designated as supporting the forces.
- Authority to designate covered civilians/contractors rests with the Defense Secretary or the Homeland Security Secretary (for the Coast Guard).
- Sunset: the earlier of new funding being enacted or January 1, 2027.
- Status as of October 11, 2025: introduced October 9, 2025; read twice; referred to the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Who’s For It
- Lead sponsor: Sen. Dan Sullivan (R–Alaska).
- Initial co-sponsors include Republican senators such as Jim Banks, Marsha Blackburn, John Boozman, Katie Britt, Ted Budd, John Hoeven, Jon Husted, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mike Lee, Jerry Moran, Markwayne Mullin, Lisa Murkowski, Pete Ricketts, Rick Scott (FL), Tim Scott (SC), Todd Young, David McCormick, and Susan Collins.
- Supporters’ rationale: troops shouldn’t miss paychecks because of a political stalemate; limited carve‑outs protect national security and military families while Congress negotiates full funding.
Who’s Against It
- No formal opposition is listed in the introduction. Given past debates over similar carve‑outs, potential critics may argue:
- Piecemeal funding reduces pressure on Congress to end a shutdown quickly and pass full appropriations.
- Including contractors as eligible for pay during a lapse could broaden the exception beyond core military needs.
- Targeted bills can create winners and losers among federal workers, leaving many unpaid while others are protected.
What’s Next
The bill is in the Senate Armed Services Committee. Next steps, if it advances: a committee vote, then a full Senate vote, House consideration, and the President’s signature to become law.
Discussion