Pay Our Military Act Explained

Pay Our Military Act
Fullname:Making continuing appropriations for military pay in the event of a Government shutdown.
Introduced In The:113th
Sponsored By:Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO)
Number Of Co-Sponsors:4
Agenciesaffected:Armed Forces of the United States, United States Coast Guard, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security
Appropriations:an unlimited amount in fiscal year 2014
Introducedin:House
Introducedby:Mike Coffman (R–CO)
Introduceddate:September 28, 2013
Passedbody1:House
Passeddate1:September 29, 2013
Passedvote1:Roll Call Vote 499

423-0

Passedbody2:Senate
Passeddate2:September 30, 2013
Passedvote2:unanimous consent
Signedpresident:Barack Obama
Signeddate:September 30, 2013

The Pay Our Military Act is a United States federal law that appropriates funds for fiscal year 2014 to pay members of the United States Armed Forces in the event that the federal government shut down. The bill was signed into law on September 30, 2013, only hours before the government officially shut down.[1]

The bill was interpreted by lawyers from the Defense and Justice departments to allow nearly all civilian Defense personnel to return to work as well, on the basis that they "contribute to the morale, well-being, capabilities and readiness of service members."[2]

Background

Due to the failure of the United States Congress to agree to pass regular appropriations before the start of the 2014 fiscal year, it was necessary to pass a continuing resolution in order to temporarily fund the government. The House proposed and passed H.J.Res 59, a continuing resolution, which included a provision to defund the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACS or "Obamacare").[3] The Senate removed that provision every time it was added, and the two sides were unable to agree on a resolution, thus the government shut down.[4]

Provisions of the bill

The bill would "appropriate funds to pay the military at any time in FY 2014 when appropriations are not in effect," a situation which would include any potential shutdown.[5] The bill would also allow "the government to keep paying civilian personnel and contractors that the Defense Department deems to be helping the military."[5]

Procedural history

The Pay Our Military Act was introduced on September 28, 2013, by Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO).[6] The bill passed the House by 423–0 on September 29, 2013, in Roll Call Vote 499.[6] The bill was then sent to the Senate, which voted on September 30, 2013, to pass the bill by unanimous consent.[6] [7] The bill was signed into law on September 30, 2013, only hours before the government officially shut down.[1] [8]

Debate

Speaking in approval of the bill after it had been signed by the President, Representative Martha Roby (R-AL) said that "We showed with the Pay Our Military Act that there were some things too important to let politics get in the way of funding."[9] Speaker of the House John Boehner later pointed to the quick passage of the Pay Our Military Act only hours before the shutdown as an example of cooperation between Democrats and Republicans on an important issue when he argued in favor of additional cooperation to ensure that the National Guard and Reserves also would be paid.[10]

Effects

As of October 6, the Pay Our Military Act (POMA) was interpreted by lawyers from the Defense and Justice departments to allow nearly all civilian Defense personnel to return to work, on the basis that they "contribute to the morale, well-being, capabilities and readiness of service members."[11] Passage of the bill enabled Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to recall 1,000 National Guard federal technicians in Indiana back to work.[12]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Obama Signs Bill to Ensure Military Will Be Paid During Shutdown. 1 October 2013. The New York Times. September 30, 2013.
  2. News: Shanker. Thom. Hagel Recalls Most Defense Department Workers. 5 October 2013. The New York Times. 5 October 2013.
  3. Web site: H.J.Res 59 - Summary. United States Congress. 20 September 2013.
  4. News: Bolton. Alexander. Senate rejects House funding bill with government shutdown in clear sight. 1 October 2013. The Hill. 30 September 2013.
  5. News: Kasperowicz. Pete. GOP releases text of 'Pay Our Military Act'. 1 October 2013. The Hill. September 28, 2013.
  6. Web site: H.R. 3210 - Actions. United States Congress. 1 October 2013.
  7. News: Cox. Ramsey. Senate passes bill ensuring military pay during shutdown. 1 October 2013. The Hill. 30 September 2013.
  8. News: Obama signs law to pay servicemembers during shutdown. Stars and Stripes. Chris Carroll. Leo Shane III. October 1, 2013.
  9. News: Press Release. Roby: "Pay Our Military Act" Demonstrates Stopgap Funding Measures Can Work. 15 October 2013. WTVY. 8 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234211/http://www.wtvy.com/news/alabama/headlines/Roby-Pay-Our-Military-Act-Demonstrates-Stopgap-Funding-Measures-Can-Work-226955381.html. 3 March 2016. dead.
  10. Web site: Press Release. House Passes Bill to Pay National Guard and Reserves. Speaker of the House's website. 15 October 2013.
  11. News: Shanker. Thom. Hagel Recalls Most Defense Department Workers. October 5, 2013. The New York Times. October 5, 2013.
  12. News: Schmidlkofer. C.M.. Indiana National Guard: federal technicians recalled to duty. https://archive.today/20131015151936/http://www.shelbynews.com/articles/2013/10/09/news/doc525473046931c685213770.txt. dead. 15 October 2013. 15 October 2013. Shelby News. 9 October 2013.