DCUC Engages Senate Leadership on Potential Government Shutdown

Jason Stverak

Today, the Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urging Congress to pass legislation funding the federal government by January 30, 2026, and avoid a shutdown that would jeopardize financial access and pay for millions of military members and their families.
 
DCUC, the national association representing more than 200 credit unions serving over 40 million members, including military and veteran communities, warned that a lapse in government funding would have immediate and severe consequences. DCUC stressed that more than 1.3 million active-duty servicemembers could miss paychecks within days, leading to missed mortgage payments, late fees, and long-term credit damage. During the 2018–2019 shutdown, nearly 50,000 Coast Guard members went unpaid due to gaps in federal funding mechanisms.
 
“Those who defend our nation deserve financial certainty and should never be used as bargaining chips in a budget standoff,” says Anthony Hernandez, DCUC President/CEO. “No military family should have to worry about putting food on the table because Washington failed to do its job.”
 
DCUC’s letter reminded how credit unions stepped in during past shutdowns to support affected families, offering 0% interest emergency loans, paycheck advances, fee waivers, payment deferrals, and free financial counseling. While these efforts provided millions of dollars in relief nationwide, DCUC emphasized they are only temporary solutions.
 
“Emergency assistance from financial institutions is only a stopgap – not a permanent solution. Temporary relief programs, while compassionate and necessary, are no substitute for the assurance of a regular paycheck,” wrote Jason Stverak, DCUC Chief Advocacy Officer.
 
In addition to calling for immediate action to fund the government, DCUC urged Congress to enact permanent pay protections for military and Coast Guard personnel during any funding lapse.
 
“DCUC strongly supports the Pay Our Troops Act of 2026 and the Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act of 2025, bipartisan measures that would ensure all active-duty servicemembers, Guard and Reserve personnel, essential defense civilian employees, and Coast Guard members continue to receive their pay and benefits during a shutdown,” said Stverak. “These bills have broad support and are endorsed by leading military and veteran service organizations – including DCUC – as common-sense legislation that honors our obligation to those who wear the uniform.”
 
With the January 30 deadline fast approaching, DCUC called on congressional leaders to set aside partisan differences and act swiftly to prevent financial hardship for military households.
 
“These brave Americans and their families have sacrificed greatly in service to our country – they should not suffer financial anxiety due to political impasse in Washington,” wrote Stverak on behalf of DCUC.”
 
Learn more about DCUC’s ongoing commitment—and the efforts of its member credit unions—to support communities impacted by potential government shutdowns at dcuc.org/govtshutdown.

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