Democrats Holding Military Paychecks ‘Hostage’ To Push ‘Radical Agenda,’ Congressman Says

A Texas Republican said that Democrats are holding the paychecks of millions of military service members “hostage” in order to advance their far-left agenda. 

Congressman Ronny Jackson told The Daily Wire that the Democrats’ opposition to a short-term spending plan backed by Republicans was causing real-world harm to those tasked with protecting America. As the shutdown continues, approximately two million military personnel are expected to continue working without pay — even as members of Congress continue to receive their paychecks. 

“Democrats are shutting down the government and holding our troops’ paychecks hostage, punishing the very men and women who put their lives on the line to protect America,” Jackson said. “It is both ridiculous and unsurprising that Democrats would once again put their radical agenda ahead of ensuring our servicemembers are properly taken care of.”

Jackson’s office highlighted how children in his own district, whose parents work at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita County, Texas, no longer have access to after-school programs. 

“For many families, these programs are essential support while parents serve,” Jackson’s office noted.

“Military personnel on active duty, including reserve component personnel on Federal active duty, will continue to report for duty and carry out assigned duties. This includes duty involving excepted and, to the extent they can be performed without incurring new obligations, non-excepted activities,” the Department of War’s shutdown contingency plan reads.

At the same time, nearly 400,000 civilian employees of the Department of War who perform “critical national security activities” are also expected to work without pay. Hundreds of thousands of other civilian employees for the department are currently furloughed. 

“The military cannot enter into new contracts or renew existing contracts, needlessly delaying the acquisition of critical capabilities for our warfighters,” Jackson’s office noted. 

Last month, the Republican-led House approved a bill that would have continued government funding for the next fiscal year at the same level as the previous fiscal year. That same bill stalled in the Senate after Democrats demanded around $1.5 trillion in new spending. 

The Trump administration has urged Republicans to take advantage of the shutdown to cut down on wasteful government spending and combat fraud. Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought has been tasked with reviewing the sprawling federal bureaucracy to see where cuts may be possible.