‘It’s time to stop the excuses. It’s time to end the shutdown,’ American Legion executive director Mario Marquez tells Congress during press conference.
American Legion Government Affairs Executive Director Mario Marquez was among 10 speakers at an Oct. 14 press conference calling for Congress to immediately end the federal government shutdown.
“You swore an oath to serve Americans — on the same flag our troops defend with their lives,” Marquez said during the press conference, organized by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). “That oath does not expire when politics get hard. Reopen the government and pass legislation that pays our troops so we never have to do this again. Protect those who protect you. When you fail to keep your promises, you fail the very people who make this nation worth serving. It’s time to stop the excuses. It’s time to end the shutdown.”
Now in its third week, the shutdown is having an impact on military families, veterans, federal workers and of course military personnel. President Trump has ordered the Pentagon to pay servicemembers, which were due to miss their first paycheck on Oct. 15.
During the previous government shutdown, which began in late 2019, Marquez saw the ramifications firsthand as he was serving in Okinawa, Japan, as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the Marine Corps’ largest overseas combat force.
“I saw commanders deal with the fallout from the shutdown — ensuring combat readiness on the front line of America’s national security, while preserving the morale and welfare of the 35,000-person force,” he recalled. “When Congress failed to act, mental-health, behavioral-health, and other quality-of-life programs took the hit. What I learned during that earlier shutdown is that it was the people who paid the price for political failure. And it’s easy to understand why Congress makes these choices — they’re not the ones looking servicemembers and military families in the eye when delivering the bad news.”
In addition to The American Legion and IAVA, speakers from a collection of veterans service organizations and other organizations that support veterans reiterated the call to open the government and pay the military.
Marquez also pointed out that veterans’ programs have also been halted. For example, graves are going unmaintained, transition and career counseling has been paused, and suicide prevention funding has been delayed.
He sought to reassure servicemembers, veterans and their families.
“You have carried this nation on your backs. You have kept faith with America — even when America’s leaders could not keep faith with you. We have your back and will not stop fighting for you.”
- Legislative