Is Backmann using troops as political pawns again?

This was on Army times and came from USA Today.

Bachmann wants to secure pay for troops
By Larry Bivins - USA Today
Posted : Sunday Apr 10, 2011 9:40:59 EDT
WASHINGTON — After voting against legislation to keep the government running, Rep. Michele Bachmann said Saturday that she wants to ensure American troops are paid during any budget crisis.

Bachmann, R-Minn., a tea party favorite who is considering a run for president in 2012, said she would introduce legislation that would prevent troops from being “used as pawns in political negotiations. If we reach another impasse like we did last week, our active-duty military and their families must know that their paychecks are secure.”
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Bachmann wants to secure pay for troops

The question is, how could USA Today not know the bill was already introduced to protect military pay April 1st? They reported that Backmann "wants to introduce" a bill 8 days after it was already reported and done by other Republicans.

Bill would guarantee military pay in a shutdown
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Apr 1, 2011 16:22:07 EDT
A group of House Republicans took the first step Friday toward trying to guarantee the military would get paid if there is a government shutdown.

There are heavy political undertones to the bill, and no guarantee it will pass, but it marks acknowledgement by lawmakers that the Defense Department’s current plan calls for service members to work without pay if Congress fails to keep the government running.

Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, chief sponsor of what is being called the Ensuring Pay for Our Military Act, said the goal is to reassure service members and their families that no matter what happens with the federal budget, they will get paid.

“Ensuring the troops are paid is essential to the morale of our soldiers,” Gohmert said. “The last thing they should be thinking about is whether they are going to be paid.”

“Our troops should not suffer for Washington for Washington’s failure to act,” said Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., one of the cosponsors.
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Bill would guarantee military pay in a shutdown

So how is this news worthy of USA reporting on? Why would Backmann feel it was necessary to make it look like she is the only one wanting to protect the troops from being used as pawns when it turns out, she is the one either not paying attention to what is being done in congress by members of her own party or she thinks she can gain their support. Either way, nothing she can do will ever remove the stain on her reputation when she wanted to cut the VA and stop disabled veterans from receiving their full benefits.