Pay Our Public Shipyard Workers Act

The Pay Our Public Shipyard Workers Act proposes a way to keep paychecks flowing to certain Department of Defense employees even if Congress fails to pass a budget. If enacted, the bill would provide automatic funding to pay civilian and military personnel working at public shipyards during any government shutdown that occurs in fiscal years 2026 or 2027. This would ensure that these workers do not face financial hardship or delayed pay while performing their duties during a funding gap.

Under this proposal, the funding would remain available until a formal budget is signed into law or until January 1, 2027, whichever comes first. By guaranteeing pay for these specific employees, the bill aims to maintain stability at critical naval maintenance facilities and protect the livelihoods of the workforce responsible for repairing and maintaining the nation's fleet. Because this is a standard bill, it would require approval from both the House and Senate and the President's signature to become law.