USCG members are receiving money back, concerning their pay for January 15 paycheck, which went unpaid due to 35-day government shutdown. The payment began because of an agreement between President Donald Trump and the leaders of the House and Senate and the federal government has been funded through February 15. As a result, USCG families are provided with two additional pay periods in case of another shutdown.
Because of the shutdown, 42.000 active coast guard members worked without receiving payment between January 1 to 25, highlighting the first time military members have gone unpaid.
However, unlike other federal employees, the coast guard members weren’t able to quit as they are required to complete the terms of their military service.
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In efforts helping the USCG members, national and local aid efforts were launched to bridge the gap for Coast Guard families, with assistance ranging from loans and grants to food and diaper drives to community dinners.
Furthermore, chief warrant officer John D. Rice, speaking to the local NBC affiliate in Corpus Christi, Texas commented that the situation was slightly harder for younger members, since the starting pay for an enlisted coastguardsman is about $21,000 per year.
In the meantime, President Trump reported that the shutdown may occur again if the Congress won’t provide the $5.7 billion for the proposed border wall.
Yet, members of both parties are discussing in order to find a middle solution.
The negotiations whether the U.S. will pay for the wall are reportedly at much the same place as before the shutdown.
Specifically, the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives is not interested in funding the project, while the president insists that it must be incorporated in any potential deal.
As President Trump tweeted
If the committee of Republicans and Democrats now meeting on border security is not discussing or contemplating a wall or physical barrier, they are wasting their time!
