Hartzler Co-Sponsors Measure to Pay Our Troops, Not Our Politicians

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With Democrats in the Senate forcing a government shutdown, Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-04) today co-sponsored legislation that would ensure members of the military and national security employees within the Department of Homeland Security receive pay during the government shutdown. H.R. 4852, the Pay Our Protectors, Not Our Politicians Act, would also prohibit Members of Congress from taking pay during a lapse in appropriations.

“As it has been widely reported, a government shutdown wreaks havoc with our military and denies our men and women in uniform the funding they need to perform their duties,” said Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler, Chairwoman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee. “Unfortunately, we are faced with this shutdown because Democrats in the Senate are holding the government hostage over illegal immigration, and they are willing to shut the government down and deny our troops funding over it. The legislation I have co-sponsored will ensure members of our military get paid during this shutdown while members of Congress do not,” added Hartzler, who voted in favor of the continuing resolution to fund the government and keep it operational.

“It is beyond me how my colleagues across the aisle can place the interests of illegal immigrants over paying our troops. By choosing to shut down the government, this is what they have done. Their actions are unconscionable, and I want to see to it that members of Congress do not get paid during this shutdown,” added Hartzler, who represents both Missouri’s Ft. Leonard Wood and Whiteman Air Force Base.

“One of the primary responsibilities of Congress is to provide for the common defense and support our troops. My Democrat colleagues seem to think otherwise. I call on them to do what the American people elected them to do and govern responsibly by ending this shutdown. Until they do, we must make sure our troops get paid and Congress does not,” added Hartzler.  

-30-

Interested members of the media may contact Anna Swick at anna.swick@mail.house.gov