8th District Congressman Introduces 'Support Our Armed Forces Act' to Protect DOD Employees

Rep. Paul Cook, R–Yucca Valley, whose 8th District includes the Marine Air Ground Task Force Combat Center at Twentynine Palms, the Fort Irwin National Training Center, and the Naval Air Weapons Station at China Lake, introduced the "Support Our Armed Forces Act" on Wednesday Oct. 2, the congressman's staff said in a statement.

The bill H.R. 3232 seeks to ensure all employees of the Department of Defense continue to work and be paid during the federal government shutdown, according to Cook's staff.

On Tuesday, Marine Corps officials announced 3,581 civilian employees will be furloughed in Southern California and Arizona, including 1,282 at the Marine Air Ground Task Force Combat Center, due to the government shutdown.

The government shutdown debate in the Nation's Capital remained unresolved Wednesday evening, as White House talks to solve the fiscal standoff failed to make progress toward a deal, the Washington Post reported.

Cook said in an announcement earlier Wednesday:

"This bill is about protecting our national security. Government's first duty is to protect the people it serves. Sequestration has already made this a challenge. The government shutdown is further endangering our national security and our men and women in uniform. My bill ensures that those who provide vital support for our troops' mission can continue working and protecting our national security."

Last week, Congress passed legislation that provided funding to pay members of the Armed Forces, including active duty reserves and the Coast Guard, during any period in which the government is shutdown, according to Cook's staff.

"It also provided the authority for the secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security to pay civilian employees and contractors engaged in support of the Armed Forces during the same period," Cook's staff said Wednesday.

"The Secretary of Defense has interpreted this extremely narrowly leading to tens of thousands of crucial Department of Defense civilian employees being furloughed," Cook's staff said.

Here's more from the congressman's announcement:

Cook’s "Support Our Armed Forces Act" corrects this problem by extending pay during a shutdown to the National Guard, Reservists, dual service Technicians, and all civilian Department of Defense employees and contractors. 

Cook's bill already has garnered widespread support from members in the House including House Armed Services Chairman Buck McKeon (R-CA), House GOP Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN). 

Cook is a member of the House Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, and Veterans' Affairs committees. He served as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps and retired after 26 years as a colonel. During his time in combat, he was awarded the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.