Department of War prepares for potential government shutdown

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(The Center Square) – The Department of War will prioritize operations to secure the U.S.-Mexico border even if federal funding lapses. 

The Department of War said its highest priorities will be the border, Middle East operations, plans for the Golden Dome missile defense system, depot maintenance, shipbuilding and critical munitions, according to a contingency plan from the Pentagon.

"Activities that are determined not to be excepted, and which cannot be performed by utilizing military personnel in place of furloughed civilian personnel, will be suspended when appropriated funds are no longer available," according to the plan. "The Secretary of War may, at any time, determine that additional activities shall be treated as excepted."

According to the department's plan, about 334,900 civilian employees at the War Department will be furloughed if federal funding lapses.

The department employs about 741,500 civilians. About 24% are funded through sources other than the annual appropriations. Another 30%, about 223,900, are designated as "excepted" personnel and must continue to work regardless of funding. That leaves the remaining 45% of the department's civilian workers furloughed until Congress approves new funding.

About 2 million troops could be required to work without pay, depending on how long the shutdown lasts.

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill would continue to get paid their $174,000 annual salaries.

Funding will lapse at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday unless Congress passes a stopgap spending bill.

Navy Federal Credit Union said it would offer 0% APR loans to eligible members whose pay may be affected. The credit union noted that this continues a tradition of assistance seen during previous shutdowns in 2011, 2013 and 2018-2019, when nearly 20,000 members received support.

The credit union's paycheck assistance program is designed for military service members, federal employees and government contractors who are paid directly by the federal government, have their paychecks deposited with Navy Federal and would experience a disruption in income due to a shutdown.

"We understand how unsettling a potential government shutdown can be for our members and their families," said Matt Freeman, Navy Federal's senior vice president of digital payments. "In these challenging times, it's important our members know we are here to provide dependable support when they need it most."