More than 800 members of the North Carolina National Guard did not get their regular paychecks this week because of the federal government shutdown, according to Gov. Josh Stein.
The federal shutdown began on Oct. 1 after Republicans and Democrats in Congress could not agree on a new federal budget. Each party blames the other and demands their own changes to the proposed federal budget. The main sticking point for Democrats in the Republican-majority U.S. House is funding for health care subsidies and Medicare.
But while members of Congress argue over the budget, hundreds of thousands of federal workers have been furloughed or are working without pay, according to the Associated Press.
“North Carolina National Guard members are essential to keeping our state and our country safe. Today 841 NC National Guardsmen did not receive their scheduled paychecks and must continue work without pay through the federal government shutdown,” the North Carolina governor said. “That’s unacceptable.”
“We need our federal government to support our National Guard, protect our health care, and make sure families can put food on the table,” Stein said on X.
In previous federal shutdowns, workers received back pay after Congress passed a new budget.
Charles Duncan
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