Legion to Congress: Government shutdown jeopardizes national security

The American Legion today called on Congress to end its political standoff and prioritize legislative action to avert a government shutdown on Sept. 30. 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 servicemembers receive pay if a funding lapse occurs.

“It’s time for Congress to prioritize our servicemembers, nation and national security,” American Legion National Commander Daniel J. Seehafer said. “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 servicemembers; 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.