As Government Shutdown Enters Day 15, Veterans Demand Republicans End the Shutdown and Lower Healthcare Costs

PHOENIX — Today, active duty military service members received their first scheduled paychecks during the government shutdown. Despite uncertainty of whether they will continue to receive checks on time, the administration stated they will fund this week’s paycheck. Military service members should not be forced to live in uncertainty over whether or not they’ll receive their next paycheck. Instead, Republicans in Congress, including Representatives Ciscomani and Schweikert, must agree to lower healthcare costs and reopen the government to ensure that the military and other federal employees are paid. 

"Republicans' refusal to negotiate on basic needs like healthcare is exactly why we are dealing with this mess. The same Republicans who consistently claim to care about our military, have no problem using them as a pawn for political points. I know the oath these men and women took, I took the same one. I was willing to put my life on the line for this county. It's hard to see our military utilizing food banks because they aren't sure if they can feed their families, let alone themselves. They wouldn't have to deal with this uncertainty if Republicans weren't trying to stiff arm the American people out of their healthcare,” said State Rep. Aaron Marquez, Army veteran.

“When I was a junior Marine, I was on WIC and living paycheck to paycheck. How does the government have plenty of money for corporate handouts but can’t guarantee our service members can feed their families? That is absolutely outrageous,” said Ricardo Reyes, USMC veteran, Executive Director for Vets Forward.

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