Support Senate Bill S.21 – Pay our Coast Guard Act
After spending the Christmas Holidays, worrying there would be no pay for the U.S. Coast Guard, the White House and Department of Homeland Security was able to find a way to make the final paycheck payment for 2018.
While a temporary funding solution may be in place, it’s important for legislators to understand that during the government shutdown, members of the Coast Guard safeguarded our waterways and intercepted attempts to smuggle drugs and contraband into the country, all without pay. Uniformed service members with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, alongside many with the U.S. Public Health Service, also continued their diverse missions without compensation.
These agencies were unable to provide pay and allowances for those on active duty and reserve orders, provide death gratuities, or provide for funeral travel for those who die on active duty. If the temporary funding doesn’t lead to a permanent solution, they may not be able to issue paychecks to thousands of retirees.
Senate bill S.21 has been introduced to make continuing appropriations for Coast Guard pay in the event an appropriations act expired prior to the enactment of new appropriations.
We need your help in contacting your members of the Senate and asking them to Co-Sponsor this legislation. Encourage the Senate leadership to bring it to the floor for a vote and to promise to vote for this legislation to ensure our members of the Coast Guard do not go without pay.
Act now to send your elected officials a message to pay Coast Guard, NOAA Corps and USPHS Commissioned Corps members during federal funding lapses.
