Democrats Vote to Abandon Active Duty Military Members

Washington, DC: Today, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) released the following statement after Senate Democrats voted to block consideration of S. 3012, the Shutdown Fairness Act, a bill that would have ensured pay for essential federal employees and active-duty servicemembers during the ongoing government shutdown:

"I am appalled that Senate Democrats, including Virginia's senators, just voted not to pay active duty military members as well as essential federal workers! Voting to shut down the government is one thing, but voting against a standalone bill to pay the men and women who serve our nation in uniform is just shameful." Rep. Kiggans stated.

Virginia is home to one of the largest federal workforces in the country, with over 189,000 federal workers furloughed or working without pay. With Naval Air Station Oceana's approximately 16,000 military personnel and federal workers, in addition to the 10,000 military family members, VA-02 is being hit hard by this unnecessary government shutdown.

Kiggans continued, "I talk to military families and shipyard workers in Hampton Roads daily. They are patriotic Americans who do their jobs with pride. Now they are being punished because Washington can't get its act together…Senate Democrats should not be holding the paychecks of hardworking Americans hostage to get their way-especially not the paychecks of those responsible for keeping our country safe."

Today's vote comes after Senate Democrats voted against a standalone defense appropriations bill last week, legislation that would have provided critical funding for our troops, strengthened national defense, and ensured the military has the resources needed to protect our country.

Reacting to that vote, Rep. Kiggans added, "As a Navy veteran, the wife of a former fighter pilot, and the Mother of a son in the Navy, this vote is a slap in the face. Those who sign up to serve sacrifice more than can ever be expressed, and yet Democrats have shown nothing but disrespect to our troops. To say I am disappointed in my colleagues across the aisle would be an understatement," Rep. Kiggans concluded.

Democrats have now voted 12 times against the same clean spending bill they supported just six months ago. The economic impact of this shutdown is far reaching-in fact 25 states are planning to cut off food aid benefits in November, according to Politico.

Background:

Rep. Kiggans introduced the bipartisan Pay Our Troops Act to ensure that members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the Coast Guard, continue receiving pay and benefits in the event of a government shutdown. Read more here.

Rep. Kiggans also introduced the Pay Our Public Shipyard Workers Act to ensure that the civilian and military workforce at America's public shipyards continues to be paid during government shutdowns. Read more here.

Rep. Kiggans voted to keep the government open. Read more here.

Read Rep. Kiggans' letter to Senate Democrats who are veterans to support the House-passed Continuing Resolution (CR) here.

Read the Republican Women's Caucus letter to Senate Democrat Women, asking them to reopen the government here.