Wisconsin Rep. Steil Proposes Coast Guard Pay During Shutdown

WISCONSIN — As some federal workers continue on without a paycheck during the month-long federal government shutdown continues, Wisconsin congressman Bryan Steil (R-Janesville) is behind a bill to help members of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Steil is co-sponsoring the Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act of 2019. This legislation ensures active duty and reserve members of the Coast Guard receive pay on time and in full during the government shutdown.

“The shutdown must end, but while we are in this mess, we must pay our service members. I have the upmost respect and appreciation for members of our Armed Forces and their families," Steil said in a statement to Patch. "The fact that thousands in the Coast Guard are not receiving pay because of political fighting and inaction is unacceptable. There are more than 41,000 active duty Coast Guard members, 6,200 reservists, and 8,500 civilian personnel who are being impacted from this shutdown, including many in Wisconsin."

The shutdown was born from a bitter Democrat/Republican budget battle that escalated over the holiday season. Republican president Donald Trump is sticking with his demand for money to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, and Democratic lawmakers are refusing to give him what he wants.

The shutdown isn't just affecting government workers and their families, many of whom had to pinch pennies over the holiday season due to the lack of a paycheck. It's also throwing a monkey wrench into IRS refunds, SNAP and WIC benefits, school/daycare food programs and immigration courts.

Below is the full text of the bill Steil is co-sponsoring:

Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff contributed to this report

Patch File Photo by Scott Anderson