The American Legion to Congress: Government Shutdown Jeopardizes National Security

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 30^th. 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.

1. Military Families: Loss of civilian employment, financial hardship, uncertainty for families facing reassignment.

2. 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:

1. Resolution No. 16: Coast Guard Pay Discrimination

2. Resolution No. 11: Department of Defense Budget

3. Resolution No. 98: Continuation of Military DeathBenefits During Government Shutdown