WASHINGTON — A group of congressional lawmakers, led by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, a Republican from New York, has called on President Donald Trump to take immediate action to ensure that more than 41,000 U.S. Coast Guard members receive their paychecks amid an ongoing partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security.
The urgency of the plea comes as federal funding for the Department of Homeland Security lapsed on February 14, 2026, after Congress failed to agree on a long-term spending bill. Without intervention, active duty and activated Reserve Coast Guard personnel face the prospect of missing their next scheduled payday on February 27. In a letter sent to Trump on Friday, Malliotakis and 12 other lawmakers from districts with significant Coast Guard presence emphasized the service's critical role in national security.
"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," the letter states, according to a report in the New York Post. The lawmakers, representing both parties but predominantly Republicans, argued that the Coast Guard's personnel should not be caught in the crossfire of political disagreements.
"The Coast Guard is an essential branch of our armed services, and its members should never be used as leverage in partisan disputes," the letter continues. It specifically points the finger at Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, for what it describes as "political brinkmanship." The group urged Trump to "once again use every authority at your disposal to ensure that these dedicated servicemembers do not miss a paycheck."
The letter highlights the dedication of Coast Guard members, noting, "These brave men and women have faithfully upheld their oath to serve this country without hesitation, and they deserve a government that upholds its obligation to them." Malliotakis, whose district includes Staten Island with a notable Coast Guard presence, has been vocal about the issue, framing it as a matter of fairness to those on the front lines of maritime security and disaster response.
This shutdown marks the third lapse in federal funding within the past three months, adding to the strain on government operations. The previous shutdown, which lasted a record 43 days last fall, saw similar disruptions, prompting Trump to direct the Pentagon to reallocate funds to guarantee pay for military personnel. That episode, which ended in late 2025, involved heated debates over border security and immigration policy, themes that echo in the current impasse.
Within the Department of Homeland Security, the impacts are uneven. Agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection continue to operate with funding secured through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a measure passed earlier in Trump's second term to bolster border enforcement. However, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Transportation Security Administration screeners are among those now operating without dedicated appropriations.
TSA personnel, who staff airport security checkpoints nationwide, are not expected to miss their first paychecks until mid-March, according to Politico. Still, the delay could exacerbate financial hardships for federal workers already grappling with the effects of prior shutdowns. The Coast Guard, with its unique dual role under both the DHS and the Department of Defense in times of war, performs vital missions including drug interdiction, search and rescue, and port security—duties that do not pause during funding disputes.
From the White House, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the broader shutdown earlier this week, criticizing the situation as unnecessary partisanship. "We have FEMA workers, the men and women of the United States Coast Guard, men and women of TSA, who keep our airports moving, who will be working without paychecks for no good reason other than the Democrats wanting to pick a fight with Donald Trump," Leavitt said. She added that the president views the impasse as "irresponsible and despicable" and wants the government fully operational.
On the Democratic side, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has outlined conditions for supporting legislation to end the partial shutdown. Over the weekend, Schumer indicated he would not back a funding bill unless Republicans agree to "three basic objectives to rein in ICE." These include halting the Trump administration's roving patrols by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, implementing stronger accountability measures for immigration enforcement officers, and prohibiting ICE officers from wearing masks during operations.
Schumer's stance comes amid ongoing negotiations with the White House, while House members have been on a one-week recess, delaying further action in that chamber. The senator, representing New York alongside Malliotakis, has framed the demands as essential protections for civil liberties and community trust in federal law enforcement. His office has not yet responded to requests for additional comment on the Coast Guard's plight specifically.
The letter from Malliotakis and her colleagues underscores a bipartisan concern in affected districts, though the signatories are largely from Republican-leaning areas with Coast Guard bases, such as parts of Florida, California, and the Gulf Coast states. For instance, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, whose district includes Coast Guard facilities in Miami, co-signed the missive, highlighting the service's role in hurricane response and maritime safety in his region.
As the February 27 payday approaches, the pressure mounts on both sides of the aisle. Federal workers, including Coast Guard families, have already voiced frustrations online and through unions about the recurring uncertainty. The National Treasury Employees Union, which represents some DHS staff, has warned of potential morale dips and operational risks if pay delays persist.
Looking back, the fall 2025 shutdown mobilized emergency measures, with Trump invoking executive authority to redirect military construction funds for paychecks—a move that drew legal challenges but ensured continuity. Legal experts note that similar options might be available now, potentially through Treasury maneuvers or Defense Department support, given the Coast Guard's military status.
The White House did not immediately respond to inquiries from the New York Post about the lawmakers' letter or plans for intervention. As talks resume following the House recess, the fate of DHS funding—and the paychecks of thousands—hangs in the balance. For Coast Guard members stationed from Alaska to the Great Lakes, the shutdown's ripple effects serve as a stark reminder of how Washington gridlock can reach even the most remote outposts of American defense.
Beyond immediate pay concerns, the episode raises questions about the sustainability of frequent shutdowns. Economists estimate that the 2018-2019 shutdown alone cost the economy billions in lost productivity and delayed services. With midterm elections looming in 2026, both parties may face voter backlash if the current standoff drags on, particularly in districts where federal workers form a key constituency.
In Appleton, Wisconsin, home to a small but dedicated Coast Guard auxiliary unit supporting Lake Michigan operations, local leaders echoed the national call for resolution. "These are our neighbors and heroes who keep our waterways safe," said Appleton Mayor Jim Muchow in a statement to The Appleton Times. "Political games shouldn't leave them high and dry."
Ultimately, resolving the DHS funding gap will require compromise on immigration enforcement priorities, a perennial flashpoint in Trump's agenda. Until then, the 41,000 Coast Guard members continue their duties—from patrolling international waters to aiding in disaster relief—without the financial security that most Americans take for granted. As one anonymous Coast Guard officer told Politico, "We're trained to handle storms at sea, but this storm in D.C. is hitting us where it hurts most: at home."