Golden Backs Bill to Pay Maine Coast Guardsmen

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) took action today to ensure Coast Guardsmen and their families are spared further harm from the government shutdown. Golden cosponsored HR 367, the Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act, a bipartisan bill to provide regular pay to members of the Coast Guard and reservists when the federal government is shut down.

"I'm working hard to find solutions that open the government," said Golden. "I didn't create this shutdown mess, but it's my responsibility to help fix it for Mainers. In our state, the Coast Guard protects fishermen and coastal communities, interdicts drugs, and saves lives. It's essential work. Forcing Coast Guardsmen to go without pay and allowing their families to suffer is unacceptable. All servicemembers must be paid for their service, plain and simple."

Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) has cosponsored companion legislation in the Senate.

Congressman Golden's office has heard from constituents about the toll the government shutdown is taking on Coast Guard families. Since being sworn in on January 3rd, Golden has repeatedly voted to fund the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Coast Guard. Golden is determined to find relief for Coast Guardsmen and other affected federal workers and their families.

All other branches of the military continue to receive pay even when the government is shut down. The Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act would make the Coast Guard a fully equal branch of the armed services and appropriate money to pay Coast Guardsmen and reservists immediately, and would protect their pay in the future.