What a government shutdown could mean for military pay and readiness 

Washington is once again staring down the possibility of a government shutdown at the end of the month. 

Lawmakers have until October 1st to pass a spending bill, or else federal agencies will have to close up shop. And yet neither side seems interested in making a deal to keep the government open.  

Shutdowns come with steep consequences for all Americans, but it’s our military members and their families who could be hit the hardest.  

Military members don’t get paid during a shutdown, but they still have to report for duty. Under current law, if the government shuts down, America’s troops will keep working without pay – even though the members of Congress who cause the shutdown would be paid in full.  

Even if the shutdown only lasts a couple of weeks, that could be a big problem for military households who often live paycheck-to-paycheck.  

  • A junior enlisted service member earns under $30,000 in base pay per year, compared to the U.S. median salary of $62,700. 
  • In a 2023 Department of Defense survey, 45% of active-duty troops reported at least some difficulty making ends meet.  
  • A 2024 report by the Department of Agriculture found that 25% of active-duty troops faced food insecurity in recent years, struggling to afford meals for themselves or their families. That’s more than double the rate for all Americans. 

One missed paycheck can be a massive hardship. And not just for the 1.3 million active-duty troops, but also their 560,000 spouses and 890,000 children.  

All told, nearly 2.8 million Americans could be forced to figure out how to pay rent, keep the lights on, and put food on the table with no income coming in – even after all the sacrifices they’ve already made serving our country.  

Local businesses near military bases feel it too, as spending dries up overnight. 

Party leaders in Washington may view shutdown as an opportunity to talk tough, rack up some cable news hits, and boost their fundraising. But for the men and women we ask to defend the country – and for their families – the consequences of a government shutdown are immediate and very real.