WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — Local Congresswoman Elaine Luria was an original cosponsor of a bill that would pay the United State Coast Guard during the government shutdown.
“We rely on our brave Coast Guard to provide maritime safety, security, and stewardship,” Congresswoman Luria said. “Members of our maritime security service need to put food on the table, fill their gas tanks, and pay their rent or mortgage. They should never bear the burden of political breakdowns.”
During the partial government shutdown, most members of the military, Navy, Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps are getting regular pay because they are funded through the Department of Defense. The DoD had 2019 fiscal appropriations approved last September.
However, the Coast Guard falls under the Department of Homeland Security, and despite working through the shutdown, wasn't supposed to receive regular pay.
Homeland Security had come up with $75M for the Dec. 31 pay period to pay Coast Guard members, but if the shutdown continues into mid-late January, they won't receive a paycheck.
The introduced bill would have funds appropriated for the fiscal year 2019 for the Coast Guard.
