WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08) today introduced the Pay Our Guardsmen and Civilian Defense Personnel Act to ensure civilian workers and Georgia National Guardsmen are paid during the government shutdown.

“It’s our duty as leaders in Washington to keep the government running and ensure that our troops and civilian defense workers are paid,” said Rep. Scott. “The House has acted multiple times to keep the government open and pay our defense workers. Unfortunately, the Department of Defense has chosen to furlough civilian defense personnel and many National Guardsmen. It is imperative that we return these service members to work and ensure they received the pay and benefits they deserve.”

In addition, Rep. Scott has co-sponsored bipartisan legislation (H.R. 3223), to retroactively pay federal workers for any furlough days that are accrued as part of the current government shutdown.

Original co-sponsors of Scott’s Pay Our Guardsmen and Civilian Defense Personnel Act include Georgia Reps. Doug Collins (GA-09), Paul Broun (GA-10), Lynn Westmoreland (GA-03), Rob Woodall (GA-07) and Phil Gingrey (GA-11).

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.

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