More than a dozen advocacy groups for military members and veterans joined forces to urge Congress to pay troops on time and pass legislation that protects veterans, service members and their families from the impacts of the federal government shutdown. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes )

WASHINGTON — More than a dozen advocacy groups for military members and veterans joined forces to urge Congress to pay troops on time and pass legislation that protects veterans, service members and their families from the impacts of the federal government shutdown.

Veterans of Foreign Wars, Blue Star Families and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America were among organizations that voiced concerns about disrupted paychecks and delayed services due to the shutdown — now in its third week — during a news conference in the nation’s capital Tuesday.

The groups urged Congress to pass the Pay Our Troops Act, legislation pending in the House that would ensure members of the armed forces continue to get their paychecks during a government funding lapse.

“This shutdown is a kitchen-table crisis for military families,” said Joy Craig, the VFW’s associate director for service member affairs. Craig and other advocates spoke during a 40-minute news conference at the Reserve Organization of America on Constitution Avenue.

President Donald Trump, meanwhile, assured troops in a Truth Social post Saturday that they would receive their paychecks absent action from Congress to adopt legislation. He followed through Tuesday night.

“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, service members received their mid-month salary, and their Leave and Earnings Statements (LES) are now available in myPay,” the Pentagon said in a statement Tuesday night. 

The announcement was made after the Senate rejected a bill to reopen the government for the eighth time.

The Pentagon said about $8 billion set aside for research, development, testing and evaluation would be used to pay members of the military, Reuters reported Monday. The next regular payday is Wednesday.

Craig and other advocates on Tuesday demanded a permanent solution through legislation that ensures troops will continue to be paid during a shutdown.

“Missing a payday means missing rent and missing meals for our military service members and their families. This is a direct assault on their financial stability,” said Tom Porter, vice president for government affairs at Blue Star Families, a nonprofit organization that supports veterans and military families.

Kyleanne Hunter, chief executive officer of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill where more than a dozen advocacy groups for military members and veterans urged Congress to pass legislation that guarantees pay for troops during a government shutdown. Standing behind Hunter, from left to right, are: Candace Wheeler, senior director, government and legislative affairs for the Tragedy Assistance Program; Scott Hope, national service director of Disabled American Veterans; Joy Craig, associate director for service member affairs at Veterans of Foreign Wars; retired Maj. Gen. April Vogel, vice president for government relations at the Military Officers Association of America; and Mario Marquez, executive director of government affairs for The American Legion. (Screenshot)

“We applaud the notion of found money, but we can’t rely on a stopgap measure,” said Kyleanne Hunter, chief executive officer of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, which organized the news conference.

The Pay Our Troops Act is pending review by appropriators after the legislation was introduced in the House in September.

The veterans groups also urged Congress to end the partisan stalemate over insurance subsidies that has blocked passage of legislation to extend federal government funding through Nov. 21. A measure the House passed has failed multiple times to clear the Senate.

Democratic lawmakers are pushing to extend health insurance tax credits under the Affordable Care Act as part of the bill, a provision that Republicans oppose.

“I don’t have anything to negotiate,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said Tuesday morning.

Organizations at Tuesday’s news conference pledged to keep advocating for military families and veterans during the shutdown, as many rely on benefits and services from federal agencies.

Student Veterans of America warned that veterans enrolled in advanced education and training programs under the GI Bill rely on federal agencies — now shuttered — to confirm their housing payments and to receive guidance on their benefits.

“We’ve had previous shutdowns with delays in paychecks,” said retired Army Maj. Gen. John Hashem, executive director of the Reserve Organization of America, a nonprofit that advocates for the reserve and National Guard components.

But Hashem warned about the implications on troop morale and readiness. He urged Congress to work toward a solution “that gives [troops] predictability, dignity and respect they deserve.”