WASHINGTON—The Defense Credit Union Council urged lawmakers Friday to swiftly advance the Pay Our Military Act of 2025 (S. 876), calling it essential to protecting servicemembers and their families from financial hardship during a government shutdown.
In a letter to Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AL), DCUC Chief Advocacy Officer Jason Stverak said the bill reflects a core credit union principle—that those who defend the nation should never face uncertainty about their pay.
“As you know, the repercussions of delayed military pay are immediate and severe. Missing even one paycheck can make it difficult for military families to pay rent or mortgages, put food on the table, cover childcare, and meet other essential obligations,” Stverak wrote. “Such financial instability not only causes personal hardship but also undermines morale and military readiness.”
Stverak that America’s servicemembers continue to stand guard, deploy, and even risk their lives during a shutdown.
“The last thing they should worry about is whether they can pay their own bills back home,” he said. “By preventing any interruption in pay, S. 876 will provide military families the peace of mind they deserve and allow our troops to focus on their missions without financial distraction.”
Stverak also requested that the United States Coast Guard be explicitly named and protected within the statutory language of S. 876.
“The Coast Guard occupies a unique position among our armed services: it is funded through the Department of Homeland Security, rather than the Department of Defense. This distinction has historically left Coast Guard servicemembers vulnerable during funding lapses,” he said.
Read the full letter here.