Pass Full-Year Appropriations Now: Protect Military Pay & Benefits

BLUF: Congress must pass full-year appropriations now to protect uninterrupted military pay and benefits, keep quality-of-life programs running, and prevent service members and their families from being used as leverage in partisan budget fights. Stop-and-go funding, shutdowns, and short-term CRs are already degrading readiness, straining family finances, and eroding trust in the all-volunteer force. America cannot ask its troops to do more with less, or wait to be paid.

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.