Politics

EXCLUSIVE: Rep. Matt Gaetz Introduces Legislation To Cover Pay For Service Members If Government Shuts Down

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Henry Rodgers Chief National Correspondent
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Republican Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz will introduce legislation Monday that will cover the pay for service members in the event of a government shutdown, as lawmakers in Congress debate the debt ceiling.

The Daily Caller first obtained the bill, titled the Armed Services Always Paid (ASAP) Act, which will amend Title 37 of United States Code to ensure service members are paid without delay during any lapses in appropriations. This would make it so service members would not need to worry about receiving paychecks regardless of how long Congress negotiates the debt ceiling.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has said he plans to cut entitlement and discretionary spending in negotiations with the Biden administration to raise the debt ceiling. The debt ceiling reached its $31.4 trillion limit on January 19, 2023.

“While President Joe Biden and lawmakers in Congress negotiate the debt limit plan, I hope we can all agree that our military service members should be paid without delay, regardless of how long their discussions may take. My legislation, the Armed Services Always Paid (ASAP) Act, will ensure our military receives pay in the event of any lapse of appropriations,” Gaetz told the Caller before introducing the legislation. (RELATED: McConnell Says Republicans Won’t Help Democrats Pay For ‘Socialist Shopping List’ In Debt Ceiling Fight)

READ THE LEGISLATION HERE: 

(DAILY CALLER OBTAINED) — … by Henry Rodgers

South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace joined Gaetz in cosponsoring the legislation. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: ‘Rotten To The Core’ — Matt Gaetz, House Republicans To Introduce Legislation Rejecting New FBI Headquarters)

McCarthy needs 218 votes in order to pass the Limit, Save, Grow Act, which Gaetz has said needs “more rigor” on work requirements for recipients of Medicaid.