Resolution No. 1 calls for the U.S. Senate to “urgently advance the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) treaty to a vote for ratification and consent.”
The American Legion’s National Executive Committee met for the organization’s annual Spring Meetings at National Headquarters in Indianapolis May 7-8. The NEC approved 18 resolutions over the two days, including Resolution No. 1: Ensuring National Security and Strategic Access Through U.S. Ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The resolution states that American national security is threatened by the Unites States’ absence from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and from leadership in the International Seabed Authority. Along with Resolution No. 1, The American Legion has five national resolutions related to the matter and the issues surrounding it that call for the protection of U.S. military and economic interests in international maritime zones worldwide, specifically referencing in 2016 the island building in the South China Sea “would allow China to dominate a major trade route” and “deny access to foreign military forces, particularly the United States” and that “Sovereignty in the area should be determined by the UNCLOS.”
And last November, The American Legion heard in a virtual webinar the case to ratify Law of the Sea treaty.
“The American Legion has long advocated for the United States to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” said American Legion National Security Commission Chairman James Grenier Jr. to the NEC on May 7. “We believe that ensuring unimpeded access to global sea lanes and protecting our maritime interests are vital to U.S. national security. Ratifying UNCLOS would strengthen our ability to assert navigational rights, secure economic zones, and counter aggressive maritime behavior through international law. Our resolution is clear: we support ratification to enhance U.S. influence and maintain leadership in a rules-based global order.”
Resolution No. 1 calls for the U.S. Senate to “urgently advance the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) treaty to a vote for ratification and consent, to preserve and strengthen U.S. strategic and economic interest that are increasingly being exploited by other nations, including adversaries.”
There were 18 resolutions passed by the NEC during the 2025 Spring Meetings. A few others include:
- Resolution No. 2: urges the Department of Veterans Affairs, Congress and relevant policy makers to review and adjust the Specially Adaptive Housing and Special Housing Adaption grants in a manner that reflects the increasing costs of home modifications to enhance the quality of life for disabled veterans and support their ability to live independently.
- Resolution No. 5: encourages American Legion departments to participate in their state America250 Commission events to celebrate America turning 250 in 2026.
- Resolution No. 9: urges the secretaries of the VA and Department of Defense, and Congress, to “review all relevant research, records and documentation to confirm hazardous exposure and deem eligible for VA health care and benefits September 11, 2001, military responders who participated in rescue, recovery, security and other onsite support operations at the Pentagon, Shanksville, Pa., and Ground Zero for related illness and injuries; and that The American Legion vigorously advocate for legislative and administrative actions to recognize illnesses related to the domestic military response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, as presumptive service-connected conditions, including formal recognition of such domestic response activities as toxic exposure risk activities.”
- Resolution No. 14: increases American Legion Temporary Financial Assistance one-time grants from $1,500 to $2,500 for the minor child(ren) of an active-duty servicemember or member of The American Legion who is experiencing financial hardship pay for food, shelter, utilities and health expenses. Learn more about TFA and how to apply for a grant.
- Spring Meetings