Hartzler urging Reid to pass spending bill: Make sure our troops are paid

Fourth District Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler issued a plea to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to pass a spending bill and prevent a government shutdown:

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, is urging Senate Leader Harry Reid to pass a spending bill to ensure America’s men and women engaged in fighting abroad continue to receive paychecks in the event of a government shutdown.


She is among a group of House Republicans who have sent a letter to Senator Reid to ask that he take action to head off any threat to America’s military readiness. Congresswoman Hartzler is one of the original co-sponsors of the Ensuring Pay For Our Military Act, legislation that would guarantee members of the military receive their pay and allowances in full and on time in the event of a government shutdown.


“A recent Department of Defense Guidance memorandum states that while the military will continue essential operations and continue to engage in combat during a possible federal government shutdown, service members will not be paid during this period,” said Hartzler. “We must not allow this to happen to tens of thousands of brave Americans and their families.”

“Service members need to be focused on field tasks at hand – not on whether their families back home will be able to pay bills,” added Hartzler. “Sadly, the liberal leadership in the Senate seems more interested in the politics and talking points of a government shutdown than adopting a budget that reduces our deficit and focuses on job creation. It is my hope the supporters of the shutdown will, at the very least, not play politics with our fighting men and women. American military personnel in harm’s way and protecting our freedoms should not have to worry about liberal inaction on government funding.”

The current Continuing Resolution funding the government on a temporary basis runs through this Friday, April 8th.