[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 158 (Thursday, September 28, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H4719]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           PAY OUR TROOPS ACT

  (Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to stand up for 
the men and women serving in America's armed forces. I am working day 
in and day out to prevent a government shutdown in just over 48 hours. 
If Congress can't reach deal on government funding before Saturday 
night, those serving in our military will not receive their paychecks.
  I will not allow the men and women who put their lives on the line to 
protect our country to go without pay.
  That is why I introduced the Pay Our Troops Act, which would ensure 
our troops, including the Coast Guard, will be paid on time no matter 
what. As we continue working to avoid a government shutdown, my 
bipartisan legislation would give our troops the financial reassurance 
they deserve.
  Our servicemembers shouldn't suffer because of Washington 
dysfunction, especially not at a time when inflation and interest rates 
continue to hurt our military families.
  I am a Navy veteran, a Navy spouse, and a Navy mom. I know first hand 
that far too many of our service families live paycheck to paycheck. In 
fact, one in three families have less than $3,000 in savings. For the 
sake of those families and all of our military families, I am committed 
to getting our economy back on track by cutting wasteful spending. I am 
also committed to ensuring our servicemembers get a paycheck, no matter 
what is happening here in Washington.
  Mr. Speaker, if there is anything that can unite us, it should be 
taking care of our troops. I believe that we can make commonsense 
spending cuts, while still responsibly funding our government and 
maintaining our national security. While we continue working to prevent 
a government shutdown, I urge my colleagues to join me in providing 
financial certainty to our military families by supporting our Pay Our 
Troops Act.

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