Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.) announced steps on Monday to make sure that men and women in the armed forces and seniors are protected in the event of a government shutdown by introducing the Pay Our Veterans and Seniors First Act.
The act would, in the event of a shutdown, pay veterans and seniors while forfeiting pay for Congress and the president.
“Our bill rightly puts our service men and women and seniors above Congress and the president should a shutdown occur,” Reed said. “Obviously our hope is that the Senate acts and a shutdown is avoided, but we need to be prepared and have protections in place for our military and seniors. Inaction is not fair to our veterans and seniors. That’s why we are making it very clear they are our priority and we have their backs.”
Last week, Reed and the House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution to keep the government open. The Senate now has until Sept. 30 to pass a continuing resolution to avoid a shutdown.