13,000 MN National Guard Soldiers Go Unpaid During Shutdown

(Learfield News/Undated) — More than 13,000 Minnesota National Guard soldiers are not receiving paychecks as the federal government shutdown stretches on.

Despite the lapse in funding, many Guard members still reported to their armories on Wednesday.

Colonel John McRae, Director of Operations, said full-time staff were on site to carry out an orderly shutdown. “So we are in the process of an orderly shutdown,” McRae said. “Full-time employees such as myself reported to work to conduct that shutdown. Additionally, we do have some federal employees who are on a furlough status right now.”

McRae confirmed that the upcoming drill weekend training has been canceled due to the lack of appropriations.

The shutdown, triggered by a congressional impasse over federal spending, continues to impact military personnel and federal workers nationwide.