The threat of a government shutdown is very real, with limited movement on appropriation bills prior to the August recess and many lawmakers voicing concerns over spending levels.

The last federal shutdown, a 35-day funding lapse that ended in January 2019, was disastrous for members of the Coast Guard and the commissioned corps of the U.S. Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, along with their families. Many of these servicemembers missed a paycheck while continuing their critical duties, while all suffered prolonged financial uncertainty.  

[TAKE ACTION: Ask Your House Member to Ensure the Coast Guard is Paid During a Government Shutdown]

These servicemembers and their families deserve the same protections afforded to DoD servicemembers during a federal lapse in funding – protections against getting behind on bills, rising credit card debts, payday loan interest, and other financial hazards. It’s especially critical now as all uniformed services struggle with recruiting and retention concerns: The all-volunteer force cannot thrive if its families face economic uncertainty.

There is a legislative solution in sight: The Military Coalition recently published a new, MOAA-led letter to members of the 118th Congress asking them to co-sponsor H.R. 2693, the Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act, and expand the legislation to include USPHS and NOAA.  

TMC’s letter highlights how the Coast Guard, USPHS, and NOAA are essential to national security:

“During government shutdowns, the dedicated members of the Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) professionally continue to safeguard our waterways, conduct dangerous drug interdiction missions, emergency rescue operations, provide early warning of major storms, infectious disease surveillance and critical health care support – all without pay. They serve and sacrifice just as members of DoD – and in fact, take the same oath to preserve and protect the Constitution. Our Nation owes it to them to ensure they are paid on time. We ask that the legislation include the commissioned officers of NOAA and the USPHS for parity. Like their fellow servicemembers in the Department of Defense, members of the Coast Guard, USPHS and NOAA do essential work to protect the security of our nation.”

[RELATED: Read the Full TMC Letter to Members of the 118th Congress]

Congressional showdowns over spending priorities, budgets, and authorization and appropriations bills are on the horizon when lawmakers come back from their summer recess. Those officials are home for August, providing a very good opportunity for their constituents to ask them to ensure servicemembers will continue to receive pay during the next government shutdown. It is a great time to ask for a meeting with staff at the local office.

The Coast Guard, USPHS, and NOAA communities fall under different committees of jurisdiction in Congress – areas that aren’t focused on quality-of-life concerns for servicemembers and their families. To overcome cross-committee jurisdictional problems, a majority of lawmakers must become engaged and co-sponsor legislation. This is where your voice is essential to supporting these servicemembers and their families.

[RELATED: House Hearing Uncovers Concerning Recruitment and Retention Trends in the Coast Guard]

Taking the time to send your House member and senators a copy of TMC’s letter can make a significant difference. Last year there was a Senate companion bill for this effort, and we need a new Senate champion this year.

You can amplify your message by encouraging others in your network to go to MOAA’s Legislative Action Center and click the call-to-action link for our prepared message to lawmakers on the Pay Our Coast Guard Act. Users can customize the message with a personal experience to make it even more effective.

Get the latest on this issue and others at MOAA’s Advocacy News page.