{"id":48995,"date":"2020-05-05T09:00:42","date_gmt":"2020-05-05T09:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/05\/05\/bill-would-provide-hazard-pay-for-guardsmen-active-duty-troops-on-coronavirus-response-deployments\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T09:29:43","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T09:29:43","slug":"bill-would-provide-hazard-pay-for-guardsmen-active-duty-troops-on-coronavirus-response-deployments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/pay-benefits\/2020\/05\/05\/bill-would-provide-hazard-pay-for-guardsmen-active-duty-troops-on-coronavirus-response-deployments\/","title":{"rendered":"Senator pushes for hazard pay for guardsmen, active-duty troops on coronavirus response deployments"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the most prominent veterans serving in Congress is pushing her colleagues to approve hazard pay for troops working on the front lines of the coronavirus response<\/a>, arguing the risk warrants that designation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and a retired lieutenant colonel from the Iowa National Guard<\/a> who served in the Middle East during the Iraq War, is introducing legislation this week to provide tax-free hazardous duty pay for all guardsmen currently deployed<\/a> on pandemic-related missions. That would include back pay for deployments dating back to the start of March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhether it\u2019s delivering personal protective equipment, food, or medical supplies, our National Guardsmen and women have answered the call to help during COVID-19,\u201d Ernst said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI could not be more proud of their tireless and selfless efforts. That\u2019s why I believe Congress should take this small step to recognize the hazardous work they\u2019re doing during this pandemic and provide them the pay they deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t