As the partial government shutdown continues, members of the Coast Guard, who fall under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, are on edge. While funds were approved at the last minute for their Dec 31st paychecks, there is no word on future paychecks. One senator is trying to change that.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn) is announcing he will introduce legislation this week to continually fund the Coast Guard during the shutdown.
“Only the Coast Guard, among all military services, goes unpaid during the shutdown—that is unfair and unacceptable,” Blumenthal said.
While agencies within the Department of Defense (DoD) remain fully-funded this time around, the Coast Guard as it lives under DHS has been left unfunded.
RELATED: “New Year, same worry over paychecks for Coast Guard families”
“I will work to pass legislation right after the new Congress convenes to right this wrong. The Trump Shutdown callously disregards the serious sacrifices made across America, said Blumenthal. “Bipartisan leadership is needed to restore rational governing abandoned by an impetuous, petulant President.”
If the partial shutdown continues without any relief, approximately 42,000 Coast Guard members and their families will be affected.
RELATED: “Uncertainty plagues Coast Guard families during shut down”
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