Archbishop Broglio Urges Congress to Pay Service Members During Shutdown

Calls for passage of “Pay Our Troops Act of 2026”

WASHINGTON, DC — His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, urges congressional action to pass the “Pay Our Troops Act of 2026” to ensure that members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the reserve components, and civilian personnel and contractors working for the Department of Defense, will continue to be paid during the government shutdown.  

Members of the military received their paychecks on Oct. 1, 2025, which covered the pay period before the shutdown, and they continue to work during the shutdown because their service is essential for national security. However, unless Congress passes the “Pay Our Troops Act of 2026,” service members may not be paid on the upcoming payday, Oct. 15.

Reuters reports that the “Pay Our Troops Act of 2026” must be passed by Monday, Oct. 13, “for the troops’ payroll to process on time given the number of people involved.”

During this time of uncertainty, Archbishop Broglio renews his prayers for all affected by the government shutdown, urges Congress to pass a budget, and praises the National Military Family Association for their Advocacy for the “Pay Our Troops Act of 2026,” and the work of Army Emergency Relief, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Air Force Aid Society, and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance as they make short-term, interest-free loans available to service members during the shutdown.

The AMS was established as an independent archdiocese by Pope Saint John Paul II in 1985 as the only Catholic jurisdiction responsible for endorsing and granting faculties for priests to serve as chaplains in the U.S. military and VA Medical Centers. AMS-endorsed priests serve at more than 220 U.S. military installations in 29 countries, making the AMS the nation’s only global archdiocese. AMS-endorsed chaplains also serve at 153 VA Medical Centers throughout the U.S. The AMS service population also includes American Catholic civilians working for the federal government in 134 countries, but currently, due to limited resources, the AMS cannot adequately serve this population. Worldwide, an estimated 1.8 million Catholics depend on the AMS to meet their spiritual and sacramental needs. For more information on the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, visit milarch.org, the only official website for Catholics in the U.S. Military.​​​​For information on the Cause of Father Vincent R. Capodanno, M.M., visit capodannoguild.org.