Coast Guard family members stormed Capitol Hill Tuesday, sharing stories of how the partial government shutdown has soured their finances and ability to meet their daily obligations.
“You can be hopeful, but then be proactive, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” Coast Guard spouse Michelle Alonso told NBC4.
The 41,000 members of the Coast Guard fall under the Department of Homeland Security. It is the only branch of the armed forces not being paid during the shutdown, already the longest in U.S. history at 33 days and counting.
The partial shutdown began Dec. 22, with Congress and President Donald Trump remaining at odds over Trump’s request for $5 billion in funding to build a wall along the country’s southern border.
In a video posted to his Twitter account Tuesday, Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Karl Schultz said he is in awe of the dedication of the sea service’s members, who continue to do their jobs without getting paid.
“Ultimately, I find it unacceptable that Coast Guard men and women have to rely on food pantries and donations to get through day-to-day life as service members,” he said in the video.
Coast Guard personnel did not receive their paychecks Jan. 15 and are anticipating not being paid again at the end of the month as the deadlock over funding the border wall continues.
Katie Morris told NBC4 that her son, Jeff Carey is currently in boot camp and doesn’t have a lot of savings built up.
“He just went from high school to boot camp,” she said. “So, it’s going to be on mom. I have to maybe work more hours to help him out.”
RELATED: Unpaid Coast Guard deploys; efforts to pay them flounder
Schultz and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Jason M. Vanderhaden appeared together in the video. He noted that the Coast Guard’s civilian employees will miss a second paycheck Friday.
Jada Green is a civilian employee of the Coast Guard and her husband is active duty. Neither are being paid and Green said she’s turned to a local food bank to help keep the couple’s four children fed.
"I never imagined that I would have to do that, but that’s what it's come down to," she told NBC4.
Organizations across the country have joined together to support the Coast Guard and its families during the shutdown. Among the latest to join the efforts are the New Jersey State Veterans Chamber of Commerce and Marlboro Township, New Jersey. Donation bins accepting food items such as pasta, sauce, peanut butter and jelly and other non-perishable food items at the Marlboro Town Hall and the Marlboro Recreation Center.
According to a press release, the drive was the brainchild of retired Army Col. Jeff Cantor. The combat vet of both Iraq and Afghanistan worked with Marlboro Mayor Jonathan Hornik on the effort.
“We must always look at supporting those that keep us safe, especially when they are not getting paid due to a federal government shutdown,” Hornik said.
You can make a financial donation to the effort on the NJ State Veterans Chamber of Commerce website, www.njveteranschamber.com.
The Senate is expected to vote on two bills that would re-open the government on Thursday.
Want to get more connected to the great stories and resources Connecting Vets has to offer? Click here to sign up for our weekly newsletter.
