Veterans In Congress Slam Schumer For Putting Military Combat Readiness ‘At Risk’ With Shutdown

WASHINGTON—A group of Republican veterans, reservists, and guardsmen is calling out Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for putting military readiness and veteran services “at risk” during the ongoing government shutdown.

In a letter sent Wednesday, led by Republican Study Committee Chair August Pfluger (R-Texas) and 26 of his fellow committee members, they urged Schumer and Senate Democrats to pass the House-approved “clean” continuing resolution to fund the government and prevent further damage to national defense.

“By refusing to vote in favor of funding levels you and your caucus previously supported, you have made it clear to the American people that shutting down the government is justified in pursuit of your political ends, regardless of the cost to military readiness and the well-being of servicemembers and veterans,” the letter said.

The letter pointed out that President Donald Trump stepped in this week and directed the Secretary of War and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to use all available funds to ensure troops were paid on October 15.

“It is unconscionable to wield their paychecks as a political weapon. Commanders are focused on helping their subordinates put food on the table, instead of focusing on defending our nation and getting our soldiers combat-ready,” the letter said.

Currently, 334,900 civilians with the Department of Defense are furloughed, the letter explained, which reportedly halts logistics, maintenance, and base operations.

The shutdown has halted advanced training and “drastically reduced readiness and lethality,” according to the letter, which noted that Reserve and Guard drill weekends could be delayed or even canceled, “directly disrupting unit cohesion and combat preparedness.”

The letter goes on to explain many other ways the military is being impacted — including Veterans Affairs.

“Every military service member and veteran deserves better. We urge you to prioritize our country’s national security and the needs of our veterans over political aims,” the letter said. “Pass a clean CR to ensure military readiness and restore veterans’ benefits. Our servicemembers and veterans have sacrificed for this nation—they deserve your support, not your political games.”

Speaking to The Daily Wire’s Michael Knowles this week, Pfluger said this fight was personal to him, as a reservist and veteran. Reflecting on his own experience serving on active duty during previous shutdowns, he said they “hurt readiness.”

“They hurt your ability to focus on the threat, on the missions, because now commanders are having to worry about where their troops, their young enlisted and young officers, how they’re going to put food on the table and take care of their families,” Pfluger told Knowles.

Pfluger previously pointed to a glaring absence of Democratic leadership, asking, “Where are the veterans who served standing up to say, ‘enough is enough’?”

He pressed further by questioning why Democrats with military backgrounds, or those with family members serving, aren’t stepping forward to say the same.

“Why are we not doing the right thing? It’s because they’re caving and bowing down to this radical side that has shown that they have the aptitude for violence, that has shown that they have a desire for an anarchist mentality, and it’s really dangerous,” Pfluger said.

Pfluger also told Knowles he thinks there’s a possibility Trump “will probably have to save the day and bring people together like he’s done, and make some sort of deal.”

“But let’s make one thing clear: the prize for Democrats opening the government is not going to be ACA subsidies. We will negotiate on things like that when we get the government open, but they’re not going to hold us hostage like this and laugh at the American people …” Pfluger added.

Despite the mounting pressure from veterans and Republican lawmakers, the Senate once again rejected the continuing resolution on Thursday morning, with Democrats once again blocking the measure.

The government shutdown continues, with no indication of a resolution in the near future.