The government shutdown is disrupting the lives of service members and federal employees. Despite bipartisan committee support in July, the Senate has failed to advance the Department of Defense appropriations bill due to a dispute over whether it should proceed separately or with other spending measures. While lawmakers delay, military pay is left uncertain, a vivid example of political brinkmanship hurting those on the front lines.

The Pay Our Troops Act & the Pay Our Military Act of 2025

In the House, the Pay Our Troops Act of 2026 (H.R. 5401) would guarantee pay and allowances for active-duty, Guard, and Reserve members during a shutdown. The Senate’s companion bill, the Pay Our Military Act of 2025 (S. 876), offers the same protection. As of now, neither bill has advanced beyond its respective chamber, and both must eventually pass both the House and Senate and be signed into law to ensure uninterrupted pay. Speaker Mike Johnson insists the House “did its job” by passing a continuing resolution, which only extends last year’s funding; it doesn’t address the broader impasse Congress must resolve through appropriations.

At the moment, active-duty troops are still receiving pay, but not through the usual channels. The Department of Defense is temporarily using leftover research and development funds to cover payroll, a solution approved by the administration. This is allowed under emergency authority, but it cannot last.

The Government Accountability Office has already warned that using these funds for pay could break the Anti-Deficiency Act if it continues for too long. National Guard members serving under Title 32 have not been paid since the shutdown started, and many dual-status technicians and civilians have been furloughed.

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Military Families Are Being Hit Hard by the Shutdown

Maria Donnelly, co-founder of the Military Family Foundation, put it plainly: "Pretending it isn’t happening isn’t getting anyone paid." She’s hearing from families who are skipping bills and trimming groceries to stretch savings another week. "Intentions don’t pay the bills—trust does," she says.

That loss of trust has become the defining feature of this crisis. Last year, there was a 27% spike in emergency relief requests from military families, highlighting the increasing strain they face.

Military families already deal with frequent moves, childcare shortages, and unpredictable schedules. Missing a paycheck only adds more stress. Installation readiness offices are getting more calls for emergency financial help and food assistance.

At Fort Bliss, a food pantry emptied in just 43 minutes, highlighting the dire situation many families face. Military spouses are sharing resources, meal plans, and advice online to help each other. Community programs like Armed Services YMCA food pantries and the Military Family Advisory Network’s Commissary Gift Card initiative are seeing record demand.

Policy Debate in Washington Continues

The policy debate in Washington seems far removed from what families are experiencing.

Republicans say defense funding should move forward now to ensure readiness and pay stability. Democrats respond that all twelve appropriations bills should move together to avoid piecemeal solutions. Both sides have a history of these positions, but neither has given in, leading to a standstill.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters, "We’ve always negotiated these appropriations agreements in a bipartisan way." His Republican counterpart, Senator Mitch McConnell, said, "We can’t hold our men and women in uniform hostage while broader political fights play out."

To provide a neutral perspective, Dr. Emily Carter, a political analyst at the Center for Policy Studies, explains that the prolonged negotiation is more about strategic positioning than the immediate needs of families. "Both parties need to remember the real-world consequences their brinkmanship has on those who serve," she notes.

The words sound cooperative, but the actions have not matched. Families are not concerned with which side wins the debate. They care that their rent, utilities, and commissary receipts are paid. Donnelly says her foundation’s message to lawmakers is simple: “You can’t ask people to serve and sacrifice while you fight over process.”

Steps You Can Take Now

Military family readiness experts recommend a few immediate steps while the standoff continues: review budgets with reduced income scenarios, contact local readiness centers for relief resources, and stay connected to official command updates.

Many bases have financial counselors who can assist with emergency grants or no-interest loans through organizations like Army Emergency Relief, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, and the Air Force Aid Society.

In the end, this shutdown reveals a much bigger problem than budget gaps. It shows the human cost of congressional stalemate. Though both parties favor paying troops, neither has secured lasting protection for military pay during shutdowns. Each impasse brings uncertainty, shifting the burden to families forced to worry about survival instead of feeling supported by the system.

“This isn’t the shutdown anyone wanted,” Donnelly says. “But it’s the one everyone feels.” Until Congress restores funding and trust in the process, military families will keep doing what they have always done: holding the line, even when the system behind them is running on empty.

Suggested reads:

• Here's What Military Families Need to Know About the Shutdown Fairness Act
• Capitol Courage: How Military Spouses Are Advocating For Their Families
• House Speaker Warns: US Government Shutdown Could Devastate Military Families & Veterans