After weeks of delay, it appears that the government shutdown may be headed to a close as Congress will soon be voting on a proposal to end the shutdown and address the debt ceiling.
Veterans groups gathered at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on October 15 to call for an end to the government shutdown.
Yesterday, VetsFirst was among a crowd of supportive veterans who attended a press conference held at the World War II Memorial by The Military Coalition, a group of 33 veterans and military organizations, and other leading veterans groups. The purpose of the event was to draw attention to the risk to veterans benefits that the shutdown has caused.
VA Secretary Eric Shinseki’s warning recently before the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee that benefits checks to 5.1 million veterans wouldn’t be issued past November 1 unless Congress took action has angered many in the veterans community. Speakers at the press conference included a diverse range of representatives across the military and veteran communities that represent: active duty military, enlisted and officers; dependents; veterans; disabled veterans; survivors; families; and caregivers.
The press conference was successful at allowing veteran leaders to explain to the public and Congress that these veterans and their families have sacrificed for the country, and deserve to know their earned benefits will be paid. Among the questions asked to the group was why there wasn’t an invitation to Members of Congress to attend the rally. One responding veterans service organization representative stated, “This event is for veterans; this community has done their job, now it is time for Congress to do theirs and end this government shutdown immediately.”