Military Families Struggle While Foreign Aid Continues Amidst Shutdown in US

Under 22 U.S.C. § 2799aa-1 and existing defense appropriation laws, U.S. military aid to certain foreign countries is considered part of ongoing foreign military financing and is legally exempt from shutdown suspension. These funds were deemed previously appropriated and obligated and thus protected.

However, there has been no such guarantee for the paychecks of our service members.

As the government shutdown enters in its second week, military families are facing the possibility that they may not see their upcoming paycheck.

The shutdown began at midnight on Wednesday. After Republicans and Democrats in Congress failed to agree on passing a budget.

Service members received their paychecks on October 1, but if Congress does not reach a deal soon, many may not get paid on October 15th. Families are now taking to social media to vent and discuss cutting costs and trying to save money to prepare for that possibility.

Kathy Roth Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families, said many families are struggling financially. “Less than one in three military families has $3,000 in savings, and almost one in four struggles to buy food,” she said. “This is not just a financial problem it affects family stability and military readiness.”

Some charities and banks are offering short-term loans to help families during the shutdown. While many are resistant to the idea of borrowing money.

The shutdown is also affecting part-time National Guard and reserve troops. If their monthly training is canceled, they could lose between $200 and $800 in income. This would also reduce training time, which affects readiness.

Hegseth said training will continue for now but warned that if the shutdown lasts, it could cause serious problems. “If you stop paying people, you stop training,” he said.

School activities for military families overseas are also being canceled. In Germany, Stuttgart High School canceled homecoming events and sports due to shutdown. One student said, “It’s frustrating because other American students get to have homecoming, but when the government shuts down, we lose everything we look forward to.”

On Wednesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) signaled opposition to moving forward a stand-alone bill that would pay military service members during the shutdown, in contrast to his Tuesday statement saying he was open to holding such a vote.