Legion Disappointed in Tentative Military Budget

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May 24, 2016, 07:49 ET

WASHINGTON, May 24, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Legion expressed dismay for a 2017 pay-and-benefits proposal for military members.

According to Military Times, the budget by Congress would increase the existing pay gap between service members and their civilian counterparts due to small pay increases. While the House is in favor of a full pay raise, the Senate opposes it. The proposed budget also includes slashing commissary discounts, forcing military families to pay an enrollment fee for health care, and decreased funding for basic allowance for housing.

"The caps put in place by the Budget Control Act are doubly painful. We've already warned how these cuts weaken our fighting forces and leave our military unready to fight in a dangerous world. Now we're seeing that they can't even keep up the back end promises and take care of troops and their families. This has to stop," said American Legion National Commander Dale Barnett. "We can't keep asking the military to bear the brunt of America's burdens and continue to turn around and ask them to give more."

With a current membership of 2.2 million wartime veterans, The American Legion, www.legion.org, was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through nearly 14,000 posts across the nation.

Media Relations Manager: Crystal Jackson, (202) 263-5758, cell (202) 320-0408, office, [email protected]

SOURCE The American Legion