Congress has until Dec. 11 to pass full-year appropriations legislation or another continuing resolution (CR) to prevent a federal government shutdown, renewing concerns about the impact of budget uncertainty – not just what it means to overall military readiness, but to individual servicemembers and their families.

The current CR, enacted in September, funds federal agencies at FY 2026 levels through Dec. 11, providing lawmakers additional time to negotiate FY 2027 appropriations. While the measure avoided a government shutdown, it also extended a familiar cycle of temporary funding and uncertainty for the uniformed services.

The consequences of delayed appropriations extend well beyond Washington. Repeated CRs complicate military planning, delay investments in readiness and quality of life programs, and leave families facing the possibility of interrupted pay should lawmakers fail to reach another agreement.

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The Cost of Continuing Resolutions

Continuing resolutions provide temporary funding to keep federal agencies operating when Congress has not enacted full-year appropriations. However, they generally restrict agencies to prior-year funding levels and limit their ability to initiate new programs or adjust resources to meet emerging requirements.

These restrictions can delay military modernization efforts, disrupt training schedules, complicate contracting, and postpone facility maintenance and construction projects.  Even when funding is eventually provided, delayed appropriations often leave military leaders with a short window to use those resources and deliver critical capabilities in support of operational requirements.

These impacts also extend to programs supporting military families. Delays in funding decisions can complicate efforts to improve installation infrastructure, expand access to child care, and address other quality of life concerns.

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Temporary funding may prevent an immediate shutdown, but it is no substitute for the predictable, full-year appropriations necessary to support national security operations … and the people who carry those operations out.

Protecting Servicemember Pay During a Shutdown

The approaching deadline also underscores the need for a permanent solution to protect uniformed servicemembers from disruptions in pay during a lapse in appropriations.

Under current law, military personnel continue performing their duties during a government shutdown without receiving their regularly scheduled paychecks until funding is restored. Although back pay is generally provided after a shutdown ends, military families must continue meeting financial obligations, including mortgages, rent, utilities, groceries, and child care expenses.

Members of the National Guard and Reserve face additional challenges. A funding lapse can disrupt scheduled inactive duty training, potentially affecting readiness, planned income, compensation, and the ability to earn qualifying retirement credit.

MOAA supports passage of the Shutdown Fairness Act (S. 3168 | H.R. 7137), legislation designed to ensure members of the armed forces, including reserve component personnel, continue receiving pay and benefits during a lapse in appropriations.

[TAKE ACTION: Ask Your Lawmakers to Support the Shutdown Fairness Act]

A Permanent Solution Is Needed

The Dec. 11 deadline offers Congress another opportunity to complete FY 2027 appropriations and provide the predictable funding necessary to sustain military readiness and support the uniformed services community. While another short-term CR could prevent an immediate shutdown, it would also prolong the uncertainty associated with temporary funding and leave unresolved the risk of future pay disruptions.

MOAA continues to emphasize the importance of timely, full-year appropriations and permanent legislative protections to ensure servicemembers and their families are not financially affected by lapses in federal funding. Those who serve should be able to focus on their missions without the added uncertainty of whether their next paycheck will arrive on time.

MOAA will continue working with Congress to advance the Shutdown Fairness Act and support timely passage of full-year appropriations. Keep up with the latest on these efforts and others by visiting our advocacy news page and registering at our Legislative Action Center.