I joined the Army when I was 18 years old. I marched into a recruiter’s office and enlisted because I wanted to give back to the country that had given so much to my refugee family.
The Army changed my life. Serving gave me the foundation to go to college, raise a family, and eventually be elected to represent Southern California in Congress. Every dollar in my Army paycheck made a difference. I grew up on food stamps, Medi-Cal, and Section 8 housing. A steady paycheck that supported me while I was serving my country was a dream come true.
When I got to Congress, I made it my mission to support our troops and our Veterans however I could. The first bill I introduced was the Protect Veteran Jobs Act, to reinstate Veterans who were wrongfully fired from their federal jobs. Protecting the livelihoods of our troops and our Veterans isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s essential for national security.
That’s why I’ve been fighting so hard to make sure that our troops are paid despite the government shutdown. Alongside Congressman Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), I sent a letter to Speaker Johnson calling on him to bring House Republicans back to work in Washington to pass legislation guaranteeing pay for U.S. troops by the October 15 deadline.
I also cosponsored bipartisan legislation to guarantee pay for service members in the event of a shutdown.
I will fight for all government employees who are working diligently for the American people to make sure their jobs are secure. But when it comes to our troops, it is deeply personal for me. They have no union or special interest group advocating for them. It is my duty to be a voice for their cause. Our troops put their lives on the line for our freedom. They have our backs; Congress needs to have theirs.
Our troops shouldn’t be kept waiting until the last second to find out if they’re going to be paid. Without addressing the legality of payment, I’m grateful that President Trump found a temporary solution, but we need permanent action to give our troops the stability and peace of mind they deserve.
Over a quarter of military families don’t have enough to eat. Over 225,000 active duty and reserve personnel in California are at risk of missing paychecks. The greatest nation with the greatest military in the world should not be putting our troops and their families in this predicament.
Congress must take action to ensure that troops can always count on their paycheck, no matter who controls the White House or Congress.
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Republicans and Democrats must come back to the negotiating table to reach an agreement that reopens the government, prevents health care costs from skyrocketing, and lowers costs on everyday goods for American families.
Our troops should not be left waiting for their paycheck while Washington politicians play politics. It’s time to find lasting solutions that put the American people first.
Derek Tran represents California’s 45th congressional district.
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