WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08) today issued the following statement in response to the Department of Defense’s decision to revise implementation of the Pay Our Military Act and end furloughs for most of its approximately 400,000 civilian employees:

“In addition to advancing legislation to get our civilian defense personnel back to work, I will continue to scrutinize the Department of Defense’s revised implementation of the Pay Our Military Act,” said Rep. Scott. “DoD must adhere to the intent of the law Congress passed, which is to ensure all defense workers are able to do their jobs. After a week of unnecessary turmoil for the workers at Robins and Moody, it is important that the Department swiftly implement the revised policy to ensure all workers may return to work without further delay.”

Earlier this year, Rep. Scott voted for the Defense Appropriations Act (H.R.2397) which included an amendment offered by Scott to prohibit furloughs for Fiscal Year 2014. Despite being passed by an overwhelming bipartisan margin in the House, the Senate has yet to move on the Defense Appropriations measure.

In addition, Rep. Scott has taken the following actions to safeguard pay for active duty military members, as well as Department of Defense civilian personnel and contractors.

1. Voted for the Pay Our Military Act (HR 3210) and the Pay our Guard and Reserve Act (HR 3230).
2. Co-sponsored and voted for the bipartisan Federal Employee Retroactive Pay Fairness Act (H.R. 3223) which unanimously passed the House on October 5, 2013.
3. Introduced the Pay Our Guardsmen and Civilian Defense Personnel Act (H.R. 3241).

H.R. 3241 would amend the Pay our Military Act to:

• Include funding for inactive reservists
• Removes the Secretary’s determination as to what civilians he deems are “providing support to members of the Armed Forces”, thereby clarifying funding for all defense civilians
• Covers dual status military technicians

Current co-sponsors (30) of Scott’s Pay Our Guardsmen and Civilian Defense Personnel Act include: Rep. Mark Amodei (NV-2), Rep. Dan Benishek (MI-1), Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-5), Rep. Rob Bishop (UT-1), Rep. Paul Broun (GA-10), Rep. Tom Cole (OK-4), Rep. Doug Collins (GA-9), Rep. Mike Conaway (TX-11), Rep. Jeff Denham (CA-10), Rep. Renee Ellmers (NC-2), Rep. Blake Farenthold (TX-27), Rep. Trent Franks (AZ-8), Rep. Phil Gingrey (GA-11), Rep. Tom Graves (GA-14), Rep. Vicky Hartzler (MO-4), Rep. Mike Kelly (PA-3), Rep. Martha Roby (AL-2), Rep. Jeff Miller (FL-1), Rep. Richard Nugent (FL-11), Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-3), Rep. Dennis Ross (FL-15), Rep. Jon Runyan (NJ-3), Rep. Matt Salmon (AZ-5), Rep. Michael Turner (OH-10), Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-2), Rep. Brad Wenstrup (OH-2), Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (GA-3), Rep. Roger Williams (TX-25), Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-2), Rep. Rob Woodall (GA-07).

In addition, the bill has been endorsed by the Association of the United States Navy, Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, Air Force Sergeants Association, Reserve Officers Association, and the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Association. 

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