Group Urges the Swift Passage of the Bipartisan ‘Pay Our Troops’ Act To Bring Relief To Our Service Members and Their Families
[WASHINGTON, DC] — October 3, 2025 — Blue Star Families, the nation’s largest nonprofit serving military and veteran families, led a coalition of 27 military and veteran service organizations that signed onto its letter urging Congress to pass the appropriations bills needed to fund the government for Fiscal Year 2026. The coalition warns that repeated funding standoffs and potential shutdowns place devastating strain on service members, veterans, and their families while undermining national security. The group also calls on Congress to pass the ‘Pay Our Troops Act of 2026,’ and that passage must happen before October 13, 2025, when the next paycheck is expected.
In the joint letter to congressional leaders, the organizations write:
“A government shutdown is not simply a political or fiscal issue — it has direct and devastating consequences for those who serve and have served, as well as their families. Recent survey data show that 1 in 3 military families have less than $3,000 in savings, which can lead them to put expenses on credit cards or use payday loans during a shutdown. ”
“Government shutdowns put military families on the frontlines of needless hardship and they urgently need their pay reinstated,” said Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO and co-founder of Blue Star Families. “This isn’t just about delayed paychecks—it’s about readiness, trust, and the future of our All-Volunteer Force. Undermining them weakens the very backbone of our national security.”
Blue Star Neighborhood Launches New Shutdown-Focused Resource Hub for Families
In response to the shutdown crisis, Blue Star Families has launched a new comprehensive online resource hub to support military families during the shutdown. Available on the Blue Star Neighborhood, families can find details and links to:
- Financial and career services
- Food and childcare information
- Service branch-specific shutdown resources
- Mental health and well-being support
The Blue Star Neighborhood resource hub can be accessed at thebsn.org and is free to join. Blue Star Families plans to roll out additional resources and community events in the coming days.
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About Blue Star Families
Blue Star Families (BSF) is the nation’s largest military and veteran family support organization. Its research-driven approach builds strong communities with a focus on human-centered design and innovative solutions. A “blue star family” is the family of a currently serving military member, including active duty, National Guard, reserve forces, and those transitioning out of service. Since its founding in 2009, BSF has delivered more than $336 million in benefits and impacts more than 1.5 million people annually through an expansive network of chapters and outposts. For more information, click here.
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