Press Releases

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Van Drew issued the following statement as the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security continues, leaving Coast Guard service members without pay for 42 days.

"Our Coast Guard men and women are good people," said Congressman Van Drew. "They have committed their lives to serving this country and protecting all of us. What is happening right now is painful, wrong, and downright shameful. It is unbelievable that in the United States of America, we have Coast Guard members going to food banks, holding fundraisers, and struggling to make ends meet. That is not who we are as a country, and it should make every single person in Washington embarrassed.

"South Jersey is home to Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, the only recruit training center in our nation. I meet these men and women all the time. They are hardworking, decent, committed people, and they do not deserve to be treated this way. Despite all this, they continue to show up every single day and carry out their mission without pay. They deserve a government that shows up for them as well. I have spoken directly with President Trump and asked him to consider every possible option, including executive action, to get our Coast Guard paid during this shutdown, just like he has for TSA. For God's sake, stop playing politics with the people who protect this country. Pay our service members now."