Veteran’s service organizations have a not so subtle message for the White House and Congress: ensure the Coast Guard will be paid without delay.
The Coast Guard remains the only military branch that’s impacted from the ongoing partial government shutdown since they fall under the Department of Homeland Security. If Congress doesn’t act before Jan 11 those charged with protecting America's waterways and the coast of the country will be forced to work for free.
Luckily for them, there’s already a legislative fix.
That bill, which was introduced Jan. 3, would keep money flowing to Coast Guardsmen who are caught in the middle of a national debate surrounding border security and keeping multiple federal agencies afloat.
So far, the White House has dug in and will not entertain re-opening the government unless more than 5 billion in funding is set aside for a border wall.
“Our government’s first responsibility is to secure the nation and protect her citizens,” added B.J. Lawrence, the national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.