WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (D-2nd) introduced the Pay Our Coast Guard Act, and the Keep the William J. Hughes Technical Center Funded for FY 2020 Act to fund the Coast Guard and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through fiscal year 2020.
According to a release, this legislation is in response to the ramifications that South Jersey families incurred when the government shutdown at the end of last year, and comes in the midst of federal funding expiring next month.
“This bill not only ensures the safety of our skies and allows the brave men and women in the Coast Guard to continue paying their bills, but it also prevents the mass economic effect that the shutdown had on the South Jersey community at large, ranging from contractors to the food industry, to fishermen.
“South Jersey saw a tremendous outpouring of support during the last shutdown, from food banks to financial assistance, but the bottom line is that this should not be necessary. Shutdowns should not happen, especially at the expense of the American people.
“I will do everything necessary to prevent this from happening again,” stated Van Drew. “We cannot afford to play chicken with our safety or our financial security.”
