Pass Full-Year Appropriations Now: Protect Military Pay & Benefits
BLUF: Congress must pass the defense appropriations bill now! Otherwise, service members and their families will be left in limbo to endure a brutal holding pattern with which they are all too familiar—without pay or access to benefits—because of political disputes that have nothing to do with their service or sacrifice.
The Problem
Stop-and-go funding hurts readiness and families. Shutdowns and short-term CRs delay pay actions, stall claims, and disrupt PCS, childcare, tuition assistance, and Guard/Reserve drill pay.
No one should pay to serve. Uncertainty forces military families to shoulder costs and anxiety they did not sign up for.
Retention and morale suffer. Budget limbo undermines trust and the all-volunteer force.
Why Full-Year Appropriations Matter
Uninterrupted pay & benefits: On-time disbursement of basic pay, BAH/BAS, incentive pay, drill/AGR pay, and survivor benefits.
Continuity of care & support: TRICARE claims processing, mental-health staffing, childcare and housing programs, commissaries, and transition services keep running.
Predictable operations: PCS/TDY orders, training pipelines, depot maintenance, and quality-of-life projects proceed without costly delays.
The Solution
Pass full-year appropriations immediately—not another short-term CR.
Fully fund quality-of-life lines and earned benefits, including pay raises, BAH restoration, healthcare access, childcare, housing, and spouse employment programs.
Reinforce pay protection backstops so uniformed service members (including Coast Guard, USPHS, and NOAA) are never used as leverage in partisan disputes.
AFSA Calls on Congress to Act
Pass a responsible, full-year funding bill now to ensure uninterrupted pay and benefits for service members, families, and survivors.
Keep military families off the bargaining table by safeguarding pay disbursement under any future funding disruption.
Sustain quality-of-life investments that strengthen readiness, retention, and the all-volunteer force.