Energizing Our Communities Act

Senate Bill

S. 2835

119th Congress

Energizing Our Communities Act

In Committee

Introduced:Sep 17, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Dan Sullivan

Senator

Republican

AK

Cosponsors

20

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Summary

The Energizing Our Communities Act would ensure that members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including reservists, as well as certain civilian Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security personnel, continue to receive their pay and allowances even if the government shuts down due to a lack of full-year appropriations for fiscal year 2024.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The Energizing Our Communities Act would ensure that members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including reservists, as well as certain civilian Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security personnel, continue to receive their pay and allowances even if the government shuts down due to a lack of full-year appropriations for fiscal year 2024.

Last updated: 12/29/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Pay Our Military Act of 2023This bill provides continuing appropriations for military pay for any period during which interim or full-year appropriations for FY2024 are not in effect (i.e., a government shutdown).Specifically, the bill provides FY2024 continuing appropriations for the pay and allowances of (1) members of the Armed Forces, including reserve components, who perform active service during the period; and (2) civilian personnel and contractors of the Department of Defense (and the Department of Homeland Security in the case of the Coast Guard) who are providing support to such members of the Armed Forces.If a government shutdown occurs, the bill provides the continuing appropriations until the earlier of (1) the enactment into law of specified appropriations legislation, or (2) January 1, 2025.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Provides continuing appropriations for military pay and allowances during any government shutdown in fiscal year 2024.
Covers active duty members of the Armed Forces, including reservists, as well as certain civilian DoD and DHS personnel who support the military.
Funding would continue until either new appropriations legislation is enacted or January 1, 2025, whichever comes first.

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This bill would directly impact active duty military personnel, reservists, and select civilian defense and homeland security employees by ensuring they continue to receive their paychecks during a government shutdown. This would help maintain morale and readiness within the armed forces and avoid financial hardship for affected personnel and their families.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

2835, 119th Congress (2025). "Energizing Our Communities Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-2835