WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Don Bacon (NE-02) and Maxine Dexter (OR-03) celebrated the House passage of their bipartisan legislation safeguarding pension payments for an estimated 8,000 retired uniformed servicemembers.
The Pensions for Retired Uniformed Servicemembers Act would secure parity between retired members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Commissioned Officer Corps and the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps and all other federal retirees, ensuring they continue receiving pension payments during a government shutdown. The bill’s passage was also supported by Representatives Don Davis (NC-01), Nick LaLota (NY-01) and August Pfluger (TX-11).
“A government shutdown shouldn’t prevent retired NOAA and USPHS officers from paying rent or putting food on the table,” said Rep. Raskin. "Our bipartisan bill honors their years of public service defending the health and safety of our people. Once the Senate passes this legislation and it becomes law, these patriots will always receive the benefits they earned on time, even if government funding lapses.”
“Legislating in a Republican-controlled House has not stopped me from getting things done,” said Rep. Dexter. “I’m proud to secure this win for every retired public servant who has endured the struggle of going without a paycheck during a government shutdown and for the constituent who reached out to my office and made us aware of this egregious gap in our system. I am honored to have the opportunity to definitively address concerns my community elevates and help thousands of Americans in the process.”
“NOAA Corps and U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps officers serve our nation in moments of crisis, from hurricane response and environmental disasters to disease outbreaks at home and overseas,” said Rep. Bacon. “These uniformed officers have answered the call in national emergencies and times of war, and they deserve a retirement structure that recognizes that service. I’m pleased the House passed this bipartisan legislation, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to get it across the finish line and to the President’s desk.”
"The Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Service applauds the effort to place the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps in the Military Retirement Fund. This bipartisan achievement will ensure that retired officers of both uniformed services continue to receive the retirement benefits they have earned without interruption during a government shutdown," said CAPT. Jacqueline Rychnovsky, USPHS (Ret.), Executive Director of the Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Service. "The Association congratulates Representatives Jamie Raskin, Don Bacon, Maxine Dexter, Donald Davis, Nick LaLota, and August Pfluger for their bipartisan leadership in advancing this important amendment and helping safeguard the retirement security of those who have dedicated their careers to serving our nation."
“USPHS and NOAA Corps retirees served and sacrificed during a career in uniform. They stepped up for our nation and its citizens in times of crisis. They earned the benefit of knowing their retirement checks will always arrive and always arrive on time,” said Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret), president and CEO of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). “MOAA thanks Reps. Raskin, Bacon, and Dexter for their work on this issue, and we look forward to solidifying this important step toward retirement pay parity across all services.”
Currently, USPHS Commissioned Officer Corps and NOAA Corps retirees are paid out of funds held in the Coast Guard Pay & Personnel Center. This Center shuts down during shutdowns. As a result, retirees did not receive their pension payments for more than 43 days during the October shutdown. Rep. Raskin learned about this problem by listening to concerns from his constituents in Maryland’s Eighth Congressional District who depend on their pension payments and feared for their ability to make ends meet during last year’s government shutdown. This legislation, now one step closer to becoming law, would protect the pensions of more than 1,166 Maryland residents and more than 7,500 people across the country.
Established upon the outbreak of World War I, NOAA Corps Officers command ships and aircraft and support emergency response efforts, including hurricane response and oil spill mitigation. They lead a fleet of vessels and aircraft used for everything from deep ocean research to flying into hurricanes, and they can be brought into the armed services whenever the President requires their expertise.
The U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps was established in 1889 to root out smallpox and yellow fever and is now the largest public health program in the world. Driven by a passion for public service, the Commissioned Corps officers respond to public health crises and national emergencies such as natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and terrorist attacks, both at home and overseas.
The lawmakers introduced their bipartisan legislation in May 2026. It was referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
The Pensions for Retired?Uniformed Servicemembers Act is endorsed by the Commissioned Officers Association of the United States Public Health Service, Military Officers Association of America, Navy League, National Military Family Association, AMVETS, Blinded Veterans Association, Blue Star Families, Fleet Reserve Association, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Jewish War Veterans, Military Chaplains Association, Military Family Advisory Network, National Defense Committee, Non-Commissioned Officers Association, Reserve Organization of America, Service Women’s Action Network, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, United States Army Warrant Officers Association, USCG Chief Petty Officers Association, Vietnam Veterans of America and With Honor Action.
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