Money and the U.S. Capitol
The Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) urged congressional leaders to act swiftly to fund the federal government by Jan. 30, warning that a shutdown would jeopardize pay and financial stability for millions of military families.
In a letter sent to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), DCUC stressed that more than 1.3 million active-duty servicemembers could miss paychecks within days if government funding lapses, triggering missed mortgage payments, late fees and potential long-term credit damage.
"Those who defend our nation deserve financial certainty and should never be used as bargaining chips in a budget standoff," DCUC President/CEO Anthony Hernandez said. "No military family should have to worry about putting food on the table because Washington failed to do its job."
DCUC, which represents more than 200 credit unions serving over 40 million members, reminded lawmakers that credit unions historically step in during shutdowns, offering 0% interest emergency loans, paycheck advances, payment deferrals, fee waivers and free financial counseling.
While those efforts have delivered millions in relief, DCUC emphasized they are only temporary fixes.
"Emergency assistance from financial institutions is only a stopgap – not a permanent solution," Jason Stverak, DCUC's chief advocacy officer, said.
In addition to urging immediate funding, DCUC called for passage of the Pay Our Troops Act of 2026 and the Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act of 2025, bipartisan bills designed to guarantee uninterrupted military pay during funding lapses.
With the deadline rapidly approaching, DCUC urged Congress to set aside political differences and act to protect military households from unnecessary financial harm.
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