WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 – Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) today urged Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to treat National Guard and Reserve members and civilian employees the same as other military personnel who may be paid even during a partial government shutdown. 

After the shutdown began on Tuesday, Congress passed and President Barack Obama signed legislation to ensure that military paychecks continue without interruption.

“We urge you to review the policies that the services are disseminating to their commands to ensure that the spirit of the ‘Pay Our Military Act’ is upheld and that guidance is standard across the services,” the senator said in a letter to Hagel.  “Congress has given you the authority to maintain our national security without interruption.  We strongly believe that all service members, and the civilians that support them, should receive equitable and fair treatment under this law.”

To read the full letter, click here.