As military branches celebrate 250 years, Democrats vote against paying them

By Bethany Blankley
The Center Square

In addition to U.S. Senate Democrats voting 11 times to keep the government shut down, they’ve also voted against funding U.S. military personnel, many of whom continue to work without pay.

The Democratic shutdown continues as the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps celebrated 250 years of service this year. The U.S. Coast Guard, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, celebrated 235 years of service.

All branches have seen record recruitment levels under the Trump administration, The Center Square reported.

Their reward is no pay, Republicans argue, saying Democrats don’t support U.S. troops.

As of Oct 1, 2025, when the federal government partially shut down, military personnel have been continuing “in a normal duty status, without pay, until such time as a continuing resolution or appropriations are passed by Congress and signed into law. Civilian personnel not engaged in excepted activities will be placed in a non-work, non-pay status,” the War Department explains.

“Furloughed employees are eligible to apply for unemployment benefits, but excepted employees working on a full-time basis are generally not eligible,” the War Department said.

“Excepted employees” include all military members involved in essential work necessary to safeguard life or property, or are mandated by law to keep working. They are working without pay during the funding lapse.

Furloughed (non-excepted) employees are considered non-essential. Their pay is dependent on appropriations. They have been placed in a non-duty, non-pay status and were required to stop working during the shutdown.

Exempt employees aren’t affected by the shutdown because their salary comes from special fees or multi-year accounts.

The DOW has published guidance for continuation of operations, furlough and ethics rules. It explains that retroactive pay will be received at the “standard rate of pay” once funding is restored.

All medical benefits and insurance premiums remain the same, with continued access to medical providers. Commissaries also remain open.

Each branch has publicized resources for services members online, with the U.S. Army referring soldiers to the DOW website.

The U.S. Navy has published a list of resources to assist sailors, Marines, civilians and their families, including Tricare, Military OneSource, Department of the Navy Civilian and Employee Assistance Program (CEAP), Fleet and Family Support Program, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, among others.

It also states, “Several banking institutions have been known to advance military pay to their customers during government shutdowns,” encouraging service members, civilians and their families to contact their bank to inquire about their policies.

It also provides a list of resources and information about emergency furloughs.

The Air Force Aid Society continues to support emergent needs for service members and their families, including basic living expenses (food, rent/mortgage, utilities), vehicle expenses (payments, repairs, insurance) and childcare costs. Airmen and Guardians have been encouraged to submit requests through their local Military and Family Readiness Centers and Airman and Family Readiness Centers, the Air Force says.

Each branch has a CEAP that offers a free counseling/referral service.

The Coast Guard is continuing operations authorized by law that are deemed necessary for national security and to protect human life and property. This includes emerging contingency operations like hurricane preparedness, response to natural disasters like the typhoon in Alaska, and ongoing border security missions.

The Coast Guard has also published a list of resources and FAQs to assist service members, civilians and their family members.