CHARLESTON, W.Va. – If Congress fails to reach a deal for continued government funding by midnight Thursday it could shutdown the West Virginia National Guard. Adjutant General Bill Crane issued a letter to troops Tuesday saying,” We are once again at a point where we are preparing for a government shutdown.”
The letter goes on to explain that if a deal is not reached West Virginia National Guard employees. technicians and Active Guard Reserve members will report to duty October 1 to perform an “orderly shutdown.”
Guard members faced a similar situation on August 1 when the national guard was waiting for reimbursement for a security deployment to the Capitol in mid-January to help with the presidential inauguration security detail. Officials used $6 million in training funds for the deployment and were in jeopardy of suspending training until the funds were received.
Lawmakers approved a broader package in late July that included a total of $521 million to reimburse national guard units across the country.
Also on Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told lawmakers the government will likely run out of money on October 18 if the Congress raises the debt ceiling. A United State default on financial obligations would rock markets around the world.
This is a developing story.
The full statement reads as follows:
We are once again at a point where we are preparing for a potential government shutdown. The current continuing resolution expires this Thursday, and without another continuing resolution or budget deal before that deadline, we will have to implement an orderly shutdown.
If Congress is unable to reach an agreement on funding by midnight Sept. 30, 2021, all Well Virginia National Guard employees, technicians and Active Guard Reserve members will report for duty on Friday, October I, 2021, to implement an orderly shutdown of activities.
We urge those Soldiers and Airmen who are attending military schools to follow the instructions of the schoolhouse if there is a lapse in funding.
We understand the financial difficulties and hardships posed by a furlough on our force. It is our job to take care of our people and their families. We have staff and community partners available to provide support to our Soldiers, Airmen, Civilians, and their families who may experience financial difficulties during this time.
Our brave men and women, both at home and abroad, will continue to conduct national defense, support to civil authorities, and continue our response to the COVID-19 pandemic in West Virginia, despite a lack of funding from the federal government.
The Governor and this leadership team, along with the citizens of the great State of West Virginia, cannot underscore how proud we are for the professionalism and integrity each of you show in the face of budgetary uncertainty while continuing to secure our state and nation.