WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Legion today called on Congress to end its political standoff and prioritize legislative action to avert a government shutdown on September 30th. In its urgent call for action, The American Legion highlighted potential impacts a disruption to government funding may create. Congress must take additional action to ensure all service members receive pay if a funding lapse occurs.
The American Legions’ National Commander Daniel J. Seehafer issued the following statement:
“It’s time for Congress to prioritize our servicemembers, nation and national security. On behalf of our 1.6 million dues-paying members of The American Legion, I urge Congress to end its political posturing and take swift, bipartisan action to prevent the devastation of a government shutdown. The totality of a shutdown would be catastrophic.”
A government shutdown threatens the following consequences:
Servicemembers: Diminished quality of life for service members; financial instability of servicemembers; decreased access to mental health resources; disruption to training, exercises, and operations; financial hardship; reduced access to morale, welfare, and recreation activities.
- Military Families: Loss of civilian employment, financial hardship, uncertainty for families facing reassignment.
- National Security: Reduced military readiness, diminished deterrence, weakened diplomacy, delays in infrastructure development and increased strain to stretched defense industrial complex.
Background:
The American Legion is the nation’s largest veteran service organization. The following Legionnaire-led resolutions provide topic-specific points of view related to content outlined:
- Resolution No. 16: Coast Guard Pay Discrimination
- Resolution No. 11: Department of Defense Budget
- Resolution No. 98: Continuation of Military DeathBenefits During Government Shutdown
