As the parties in Washington continue to debate spending cuts, the Obama Administration has indicated the federal government would continue to implement much of ObamaCare if the parties cannot come to terms and a shutdown occurs.

An official with HHS has said that, “If it's funded by mandatory spending in the Affordable Care Act, implementation can continue.”  By contrast, the Obama Administration has indicated that American soldiers, including those currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, would not get paid and would not receive combat pay during the shutdown.  This prompted House Republicans to pass legislation to avert a disruption in pay for American soldiers. Senate Democrats have indicated they will not take up the House bill (which would strip them of significant leverage) effectively holding troop pay hostage so that the Democrats can continue to protect Planned Parenthood funding.

Treating implementation of political legislation, like ObamaCare, and funding for political friends, like Planned Parenthood, while treating troop pay as "non-essential" is completely immoral.  Our troops have families and if a soldier's spouse is unable to pay the rent, the utilities or buy food, that soldier is going to be distracted about those worries back home.  This is an unnecessary distraction for our troops and it risks lives.  Senate Democrats should be ashamed that they are willing to play politics with soldiers' lives like they have.