Malliotakis Leads Push to Safeguard Coast Guard Pay During DHS Shutdown

Image February 20, 2026 Press Release (WASHINGTON, DC) — Today, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, along with a dozen lawmakers representing districts with a significant U.S. Coast Guard presence, sent the following letter to President Trump requesting that he intervene to ensure Coast Guard members are paid during the Department of Homeland Security shutdown by taking similar action to that taken during the October–November 2025 government shutdown, which protected pay for our military service members. The lawmakers wrote, "We face another troubling situation. As a result of the current partial government shutdown, members of the United States Coast Guard—who serve under the Department of Homeland Security—are once again working without pay. These dedicated men and women continue to carry out critical homeland security missions. They safeguard our shores, secure our ports, interdict illegal narcotics, protect our maritime borders, and conduct lifesaving search-and-rescue operations with the courage and professionalism that have long defined this proud branch of our Armed Forces. At the same time, more than 41,000 active duty and activated Reserve Coast Guard members face the very real possibility of missing their next scheduled payday on February 27 if the Department of Homeland Security does not receive appropriations." READ THE FULL LETTER HERE