WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott visited the U.S. Coast Guard Station in Alexandria, VA to thank members for their service and discuss the impacts of the ongoing government shutdown. Senator Scott sponsored the Pay Our Coast Guard Act, which ensures all members of military get paid during the shutdown.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Our men and women in uniform make the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedom, and the fact that they aren’t getting paid is unacceptable. This morning, I met some truly amazing men and women who work day in and day out to honorably defend our country. But now, because of Washington’s dysfunction, they aren’t sure how they are going to put food on the table, pay for medicine for their children, or make rent. The most heartbreaking consequence of all is that as long as this shutdown continues, families of U.S. Coast Guard members killed in active service are unable to receive death benefits.

“It’s been two weeks since the Pay Our Coast Guard Act was introduced, and Chuck Schumer – who continues to get paid – and his fellow Democrats blocked that bill from coming to the floor for a vote. I sponsored the Pay Our Coast Guard Act and No Budget No Pay. We need to get government open, but until the Democrats are willing to come to the table and negotiate in good faith, we should at least make sure that members of our armed forces get paid while incompetent and petty politicians don’t.”

There are currently 4,879 active duty U.S. Coast Guard members in Florida affected by the shutdown. The U.S. Coast Guard keeps families in Florida safe by patrolling the beaches, shore waters, and maritime territory of the state, conducting search and rescue operations, and intercepting boat shipments of illegal drugs and the victims of human trafficking.

###