Government Shutdown & the CG

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Jcleppe

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If things progress the way they are going the partial government shutdown will happen at midnight. With the Congress leaving on break and the new Congress soon to start, it could be a longer then usual shutdown.

Since the CG is part of the DHS which is one of the agencies that will shut down, the entire CG will be working without pay for a while. Just wondering how this will effect the USCGA as well as other training, can they operate without funding? This could be a tight holiday season for many in the CG as well as those in the other agencies involved.

It does seem ironic that the shutdown is over a border wall which now means the Border Patrol will be working without pay while the NG and other military personnel will be getting paid.

Hope this is sorted out soon.
 
Jcleppe said:
If things progress the way they are going the partial government shutdown will happen at midnight. With the Congress leaving on break and the new Congress soon to start, it could be a longer then usual shutdown.

Since the CG is part of the DHS which is one of the agencies that will shut down, the entire CG will be working without pay for a while. Just wondering how this will effect the USCGA as well as other training, can they operate without funding? This could be a tight holiday season for many in the CG as well as those in the other agencies involved.

It does seem ironic that the shutdown is over a border wall which now means the Border Patrol will be working without pay while the NG and other military personnel will be getting paid.

Hope this is sorted out soon.
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Government employees will get their next paycheck (payable anytime from 12/29 -01/03) but 2 weeks after that, if no budget or CR is agreed to, they'll be zero pay.

Congress, of course, will get paid no matter what.
 
Out of curiosity, does this effect BAH and BAS. Do military pay periods start and stop a week before they receive their pay, again just curious if the shutdown does happen today will they get a full paycheck on the 29th? A lot of folks, especially younger with families, don't have much of a cushion to absorb the lack of pay when rent comes due.
 
Military pay is paid in arrears. So yes, they will get paid their full paycheck, and actually the pay day would not be the 29th, but the 31st since banks are open on the 31st.
 
According to the Vice Commandant, the Coast Guard requires at least two to three days to process payments after a budget is signed into law.

Given that the thirteenth has come and gone, paychecks will officially be late on the 15th.

That being said, hopefully we'll (eventually) get to see some traction on SB. 21 or the counterpart house bill. Too bad there was no POMA passed this time. Though I guess since DoD already had funding it wasn't on the forefront of everyone else's mind.
 
Unpaid Coast Guard members offered some relief thanks to $15 million USAA donation

From the San Diego Union-Tribune:

“Today you will not be receiving your regularly scheduled mid-month paycheck,” Adm. Karl Schultz, commandant of the Coast Guard, wrote in a blog post Tuesday. “To the best of my knowledge, this marks the first time in our nation’s history that service members in a U.S. armed force have not been paid during a lapse in government appropriations.”

Thanks to a $15 million donation from insurance and banking behemoth USAA, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance will begin disbursing interest-free loans to active-duty and civilian workers of the Coast Guard, he said.

“I recognize the anxiety and uncertainty this situation places on you and your family, and we are working closely with service organizations on your behalf,” Schultz said.

USAA is a group of companies in San Antonio providing insurance, banking, retirement products and investment advice to about 13 million current and former members of the military.

The loans of up to $750 for single members and civilian workers and $1,000 for those with dependents are designed to cover two weeks of shortfalls, USAA said.
 
This is really appalling- we are sending people in Harm’s Way and can’t pay them?!
"In a statement Sunday night, Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Karl Schultz held up Bertholf's deployment as an example of the service remaining faithful to its mission despite all circumstances.

"These U.S. service members will sail halfway across the world to protect U.S. national interests while their loved ones try to cope with financial challenges at home in this unprecedented time," he said. "Our unique authorities and capabilities make the U.S. Coast Guard a military partner of choice in the Indo-Pacific theater that strengthens international alliances, enhances fair maritime governance, and projects U.S. power across the Pacific. Our Coast Guard service members are voluntarily going into harm's way without a paycheck. Alexander Hamilton would be proud."https://www.military.com/daily-news...stern-pacific-coast-guard-remains-unpaid.html
 
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bruno said:
This is really appalling- we are sending people in Harm’s Way and can’t pay them?!
"In a statement Sunday night, Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Karl Schultz held up Bertholf's deployment as an example of the service remaining faithful to its mission despite all circumstances.

"These U.S. service members will sail halfway across the world to protect U.S. national interests while their loved ones try to cope with financial challenges at home in this unprecedented time," he said. "Our unique authorities and capabilities make the U.S. Coast Guard a military partner of choice in the Indo-Pacific theater that strengthens international alliances, enhances fair maritime governance, and projects U.S. power across the Pacific. Our Coast Guard service members are voluntarily going into harm's way without a paycheck. Alexander Hamilton would be proud."https://www.military.com/daily-news...stern-pacific-coast-guard-remains-unpaid.html
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The USCGC Bertholf is stationed in Alameda California. I bet some of those sailors/families are in Nancy Pelosi's district. I wonder if she's personally talked to those families?
 
LurkingQuietly said:
The USCGC Bertholf is stationed in Alameda California. I bet some of those sailors/families are in Nancy Pelosi's district. I wonder if she's personally talked to those families?
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The USCG has always operated on a budget that most within the CG feel is below what is required, I know that they are not alone in this feeling. Drug Interdiction is one of the missions of the CG, always has been, this is due to the large amount of drugs that are smuggled over water and to US Ports of Entry. The CG can only act on about 25% of the drug intel they receive due mainly to budget constraints. Ask many within the CG and they will say that getting a chunk of that 5.7 Billion would greatly help those efforts. Even if a wall were to stop some of the drugs heading north, they would simply shift to other methods and over the water would be top alternative. With the money spent on the wall the CG would remain in a position to deal with more drug traffic with the same budget they have today.

I'll admit that I am not a big supporter of spending that amount on a wall, I would however not have a problem spending that exact amount on boarder security in places where it could make a difference, the CG being one of those places. Opposing the wall does not mean everyone opposes boarder security or even spending the money that's on the table. The difference comes in where to spend the money. When it comes to the CG and those not getting paid, POTUS may be the one that should be talking to them.
 
Jcleppe said:
Ask many within the CG and they will say that getting a chunk of that 5.7 Billion would greatly help those efforts.
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The 2019 federal budget is 4.407 Trillion Dollars. 5.7 billion is .01 % of that. The Defense budget for 2019 is 1.3 trillion. 5.7 is .04% of that. That leaves 3.107 trillion left. 5.7 billion is .01 % of that number. <insert name person to blame> has the government shut down because of .01% of the federal budget. I say just spend the 5.7 billion and reopen the government. I've got 3 kids in the CG not getting paid.
 
LurkingQuietly said:
Jcleppe said:
Ask many within the CG and they will say that getting a chunk of that 5.7 Billion would greatly help those efforts.
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The 2019 federal budget is 4.407 Trillion Dollars. 5.7 billion is .01 % of that. The Defense budget for 2019 is 1.3 trillion. 5.7 is .04% of that. That leaves 3.107 trillion left. 5.7 billion is .01 % of that number. <insert name person to blame> has the government shut down because of .01% of the federal budget. I say just spend the 5.7 billion and reopen the government. I've got 3 kids in the CG not getting paid.
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In 1905 the rest of the world watched in shock as the massive might of Russia lost a war against upstart Japan & then had a revolution at home in the aftermath. The "steamroller" that Russia was thought to be was revealed to be a nation at war with itself. A paper tiger. It's foes & rivals abroad reacted accordingly.

In 2019 the USA is in a not dissimilar situation. The unquestioned Cold War victor, alone as global superpower as recent as 20 years ago, is now viewed as a nation at war with itself. It's institutional pillars are crumbling. If America had the ability to send its astronauts into space (it doesn't) it is questionable if they would die in perpetual orbit due to government shutdowns, which are now regarded as almost normal. Russian & Chinese soldiers, sailors & airmen (not to mention government functionaries) don't worry about getting paid or stability or budgets.

We can devote endless diatribes about assigning blame, but we cannot deny that the American system of government (in business since 1789) is in a state of perhaps irreversible decline, not due to foreign enemies but due to implacable internal divisions which no longer seem possible to repair.

#sad
 
LurkingQuietly said:
Day-Tripper said:
Russian & Chinese soldiers, sailors & airmen (not to mention government functionaries) don't worry about getting paid or stability or budgets.
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They Pretend to Pay Us; We Pretend to Work. #verysad[/QUOTE
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LurkingQuietly said:
Day-Tripper said:
Russian & Chinese soldiers, sailors & airmen (not to mention government functionaries) don't worry about getting paid or stability or budgets.
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They Pretend to Pay Us; We Pretend to Work. #verysad
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That might have applied for Soviet Union, but the present-day Chinese really know how to work. And they get paid. And they know how to spend. Modern economy, albeit loaded with corruption and mind-boggling debt.
 
Day-Tripper said:
That might have applied for Soviet Union, but the present-day Chinese really know how to work. And they get paid. And they know how to spend.
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Yeah, last time I was vacationing in Hawaii I ran into a Chinese tourist that works at the Pegatron iPhone Factory. He said he was able to take this vacation because lately his work week has been below 80 hours, and his pay has increase to $450 a month. He noted that his 7 roommates in his dorm room are planning a similar trips, maybe some offshore fishing in Baja Mexico. He's pretty sure that iPhones will never be made in the USA.
 
I’m not CG anymore, but I haven’t been paid it worked since Dec. 27. Pretty dumb.
 
Today is the 25th of January, Congress is preparing for a final day of discussions before adjourning for a weekend recess. While the shutdown is incredibly difficult, I'm overwhelmed by the outpouring of support in Coast Guard communities throughout the nation.

The unfortunate reality is that payday is once again looming and another missed paycheck will be devastating for many of our junior members. While there are financial resources in place to assist (CGMA, Navy Federal etc) we are quickly approaching the first "rent/mortgage" due of the shutdown. While loans may cover portions of that amount, it's readily apparent that many of our junior enlisted are scrambling to make ends meet.

It's easy enough to decry that "you should have money saved" or "where is your emergency fund," but the stark truth of the matter is that for many of our Coasties this isn't a possibility. When you live in a place like Alaska, or San Francisco or New York City you find yourself unable to live without a monthly BAH stipend. As a Junior Officer who spent some serious time at sea I was able to make a pretty sizable rainy day fund; but living in a high rent area, even this will be used up by the end of February, or Middle of March at the earliest. Meanwhile down the street many of our E4s and E5s are feeling the pinch NOW.

We remain at the ready and we will uphold and defend the oaths we swore, but as we approach another looming empty payday we would be remiss if we didn't speak out on behalf of those who are suffering the most from this shutdown.
 
The real travesty is if DHS doesn't plan for this eventuality after all this. Shutdowns will happen again, and it would be ridiculous to go through this each time.

At a minimum, DFACs should be flipping to free meals for all members, use of NAF sources should be tapped for interest-free loans or on base gas subsidies, onbase daycare should be going free for the duration (again using NAF as much as possible). PA should be engaging with the local community to find charitable solutions, etc.

Get it to where folks are really only on the hook for mortgage/rent, utilities, and entertainment. Won't fix everything, but it helps.

Alternatively, perhaps the USN could mobilize the USCG in the future. That would bring them under DoD instead of DHS.
 
Tbpxece said:
The real travesty is if DHS doesn't plan for this eventuality after all this. Shutdowns will happen again, and it would be ridiculous to go through this each time.

At a minimum, DFACs should be flipping to free meals for all members, use of NAF sources should be tapped for interest-free loans or on base gas subsidies, onbase daycare should be going free for the duration (again using NAF as much as possible). PA should be engaging with the local community to find charitable solutions, etc.

Get it to where folks are really only on the hook for mortgage/rent, utilities, and entertainment. Won't fix everything, but it helps.

Alternatively, perhaps the USN could mobilize the USCG in the future. That would bring them under DoD instead of DHS.
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The unfortunate reality is that most Coast Guardsmen are not located near other military facilities and Coast Guardsmen don't have access to DEFAC or base daycare. Even things that other branches take for granted are oftentimes not accessible such as commissaries and exchanges. I for instance live almost 500 miles and at least 1 two hour plane ride from the nearest commissary or exchange. Most units aren't on military bases and as such there are no reduced gas prices in expensive areas or access to government housing. In fact the Coast Guard has a pretty big precedent of renting from each other, especially in smaller communities where a "Coastie House" is passed along from incoming person to incoming person; it's difficult to ask your landlord for a reprieve on rent when they themselves are affected by the shutdown and have to pay their mortgage.

Even if the CG was transferred to the Secretary of the Navy as it has been done in previous times of War and National Emergencies, the payroll for the Coast Guard has still traditionally fell under it's original department. For instance in WWII when the Coast Guard was brought under the direction of the Department of the Navy, paychecks were still issued to the Coasties through the Department of the Treasury, so even this plan wouldn't alleviate the current financial stresses.

All in all it's a Charlie Foxtrot if I've ever seen one.
 
Well, crap. I'm out of ideas, then, other than the need for DHS to put together some type of contingency plan for use next time. I'm sure the USCG staff is already doing that.

Thanks for the intel, I appreciate the thorough response.
 
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