On Dec. 21, the federal government could shut down if Congress does not put together a temporary funding plan to avert such a situation.

President-elect Donald Trump and his team scuttled a bipartisan package on Wednesday, and a slimmed-down House GOP bill that Trump backed failed to get enough votes on Thursday. The now-dead bipartisan agreement would have kept the federal government operating through March 14.

Military resale will be impacted by the shutdown, depending on what services they provide to their customers.

Military exchanges should be in the clear, as should the commissaries — but it is less clear where their respective customer bases stand.

On Friday afternoon, a spokesman for the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) noted that the agency has the cash reserves to remain open for about 60 days if there is a government shutdown, “So a short term shutdown would not impact our stores.”

Here are comments made by Tom Shull, director and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), about the possibility of a government shutdown and how it might impact Exchange stores.

AAFES Stores to Remain Open During Government Shutdown

• DALLAS

In the event of a federal government shutdown on Dec. 21, Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) stores will remain open, and associates will not see an interruption in payroll.

“The Exchange does not rely on appropriations from Congress,” said AAFES Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tom Shull. “As a non-appropriated fund entity of the Department of Defense, most of the organization’s operating budget comes from the sale of goods and services.”

The Exchange operates more than 5,000 facilities, including PXs, BXs, Express convenience stores and gas stations, food courts, malls, theaters and other retail facilities across the nation and in more than 30 countries.

ShopMyExchange.com, the Exchange’s online retail portal, also remains unaffected.

“As always, ‘Team Exchange’ is mission-focused and takes care of Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians and families during challenging times,” Shull noted. “In fact, our nation’s heroes need their hard-earned Exchange benefit the most during strife — and we will be ready to provide the same level of support and care we are known for.”

Shull added that associates’ supervisors will keep them informed of updates regarding a potential government shutdown.

Source: AAFES

Edited by Larry Lapka