Reagan signs law clarifying that military pay continues during appropriations lapses

President Ronald Reagan signed legislation establishing that military personnel pay and allowances constitute obligations of the United States that do not lapse when annual appropriations expire. The law codified an interpretation of the Anti-Deficiency Act that had been disputed since the 1980 Civiletti opinion redefined government shutdowns. It created the legal foundation that would allow troops to continue receiving paychecks through subsequent shutdowns for the next four decades.