By Jon Dougherty. Media: Explain America.
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
At least some National Guard troops did not receive their pay before Christmas and will get their checks late even as Congress passed a major $1.7 trillion spending bill that contained tens of billions of dollars for Ukraine’s military, according to reports.
According to a memo obtained by The Post Millennial, Guard paychecks were not sent on time due to congressional delays in passing the omnibus spending package that was finally approved last week which included, among other spending, $45 billion for Ukraine, which is on top of some $66 billion that Congress has already spent to fund aid to the country.
“Hello gents, if you have been tracking, the pay issue that has been plaguing the unit and the division as well,” began a memo sent to members of the National Guard, obtained by The Post Millennial.
The outlet said that reports of late compensation “came in from Pennsylvania, Georgia, and South Carolina from troops angered and upset that their pay hadn’t yet come through.”
“You are probably already tracking there are pay issues. Many soldiers were due pay today. They received LES but did not receive funds,” the memo said, in reference to a Leave and Earning Statement, which is the military’s term for a pay stub. In this case, soldiers were sent their LES, but there were no funds deposited into their bank accounts.
The memo indicated that this is a “nation wide [sic]” issue, and that it “seems to be at DFAS [Defense Finance and Accounting Service] and is related to the CR,” or continuing resolution — Congress’ spending bill.
“NGB [National Guard Bureau] is currently working the issue with DFAS time now,” the memo noted further, stating that “we would hope the issue is rectified today or tomorrow.”
“This is unfortunate and can cause serious issues and aggravation across the formation which are understandable. Especially 2 days before Christmas,” the memo stated. “I think the messaging is important that it’s understood the issues are at the highest levels and that everyone in the Division and State are pushing for immediate resolution.”
One Georgia National Guard soldier noted on Twitter as he tagged several media outlets including Fox News: “I was wondering if anyone was covering this. The Georgia National Guard was supposed to receive pay today from our previous drill. So, is this how ‘We Support Our Troops’ goes? Shouldn’t paychecks already be part of allotted money?”
@jamiedupree @FoxNews @wsbtv @wsbradio I was wondering if anyone was covering this. The Georgia National Guard was supposed to receive pay today from our previous drill. So, is this how “We Support Our Troops” goes? Shouldn’t paychecks already be part of allotted money? pic.twitter.com/TeRCfwXUeE
— James Jarrett (@James_Jarrett) December 23, 2022
“All payments scheduled for 23 DEC are being held until the new FY23 budget is fully approved and signed congress passed the FY23 budget yesterday the housr [sic] has to approve it and then to POTUS to sign hopefully by today,” the memo added.
National Guard informs troops last paycheck before Christmas will be late as Biden admin sends billions to Ukraine
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 23, 2022
“With that being sais DFAS is holding all payments until new budget is signed,” the memo continued. “From what im being told funds hopefully will be released tonight if its signed by POTUS today.” [sic]
In an update, The Post Millennial said sources informed the outlet that paychecks were finally processed late on Dec. 24.
Last week, some Republicans praised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy when he traveled to Washington, D.C., and made a personal appeal to Congress for more aid, but they balked at future monetary commitments, as reported by Politico:
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine arrived on Capitol Hill on Wednesday ready to tout bipartisan support among lawmakers who have helped fund his country’s efforts to fend off Russia’s invasion.
And his message was well received, eliciting multiple standing ovations from both sides of the aisle as he addressed Congress. But despite the largely warm reception, several Republican lawmakers, including those set to assume top leadership positions, weren’t yet ready to commit to keeping the funding going in the next session.
“Obviously, there’s concern that the money’s going to the places that it’s intended. Having any taxpayer dollars that go anywhere, whether it’s domestically or abroad, deserves scrutiny,” House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) told Politico as he left the Capitol.
When he was asked whether the House would continue to support Ukraine next year after the GOP takes control, Scalise said: “We expressed an interest in making sure the money is going to be scrutinized. That’s something that we still will keep pushing for.”
