Military makes decision on broadcasting NFL playoffs after government shutdown
With the American government shutting down Saturday, there are some significant real world implications and issues that could be affected.
Government employees being put on furloughs, the pay for certain key government officials, and the operations of several key government institutions are just some of the important issues.
Whether or not the American Forces Network broadcasts the NFL conference championship games certainly is not one of them.
That being said, despite certain key government shutdowns, the AFN will broadcast the NFL conference championship games, per the Associated Press.
For military personnel who are NFL fans, this is certainly welcome news.
It was originally thought that AFN would not broadcast the games.
The AFN said Saturday through its Facebook page that it would be ceasing service due to the government shutdown.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders then posted on Sunday that AFN had been “restored.”
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed the news about AFN on Twitter as well.
For many members of the military who are stationed overseas, AFN allows them to watch familiar American television programming.
The sudden change after AFN initially reported that it would cease services came after the Department of Defense deemed AFN as “essential,” per the Washington Post.
“Despite the government shutdown, DoD determined the operational necessity of television and radio broadcasts constitutes them as essential activities,” defense department chief spokesperson said via statement.
White also said the defense department will continue to pursue whatever aid it can help provide to the troops during the government shutdown.
“We will continue to find solutions to support our troops at home and abroad. Congress must come to a resolution, support our troops and pass a budget soon,” White said.
And despite both parties presumably working toward some sort of end of the government shutdown, another possible concern is the security detail the FBI provides for the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl LII will take place Feb. 4. From all indications, however, it appears the FBI will continue to operate as normal.
“FBI operations are directed toward national security and violations of federal law, and must be able to continue during a lapse in appropriations,” the FBI said via statement. “As such, all FBI agents and support personnel in field offices are considered excepted from furlough.”
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