The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Stands with Our Military Community
Urges Swift Congressional Action to Avert Potential Crisis
San Antonio, TX [9.28.2023] – The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, the largest and most influential pro-business organization in the region, is deeply concerned about the current budgetary stalemate in Congress, which threatens to disrupt essential government services to include compensation for active-duty, guard and reserve military service members, civilian employees, and retirees. As the primary voice of business in our city and dedicated military advocate, we are urging all members of Congress to come to an agreement to ensure those who serve or have served our nation are not forced into undue hardship.
The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce recognizes our city is known as "Military City, U.S.A," having a strong military presence for nearly 300 years. The men and women who have served and continue to serve in our armed forces, as well as our civilian retirees, have made immense sacrifices to protect our nation under oath. It is our duty to ensure they do not lose any compensation while their important work of ensuring our national security continues, regardless of the political gridlock in Washington, D.C.
“A government shutdown would not only disrupt the lives of our military personnel and their families but would also send the wrong message to those who have dedicated their lives to safeguarding our nation's security,” says Interim President and 首席执行官 Dave Petersen. “Such a gridlock would create a negative impact across our entire community as so many individuals who live here would be dramatically affected.”
The Greater San Antonio Chamber calls on Congress to put aside differences and prioritize the needs of our military community. We believe that responsible governance includes meeting the obligations to our service members and retirees. We stand ready to work with our elected officials to find common ground and ensure the continued prosperity and well-being of the greater San Antonio region.
“The critical and vital work provided by our military service members and federal employees cannot be underestimated,” says Katie Harvey, Chief Executive Officer of KGBTexas Communications and 2023 Board Chair at the Greater San Antonio Chamber. “The looming crisis of a government shutdown risks putting our military and civilian personnel into potential untenable situations – working without pay and still responsible for providing for their livelihoods.”
In these challenging times, unity and collaboration are more critical than ever. The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce remains committed to advocating for policies that support economic growth, job creation, and the welfare of our community.
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关于 the Greater San Antonio Chamber
The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce is the preeminent voice of the San Antonio business community. As the largest business association in the region, the Greater Chamber advocates on behalf of the business community at the local, state and federal levels; collaborates with educational institutions and organizations to build a stronger workforce for the future; and provides a way for businesses of every size to build their network.