Van Drew Introduces Legislation to Fund CG, FAA During Shutdown

WASHINGTON – In a Jan. 8 release, U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (D-2nd) stated, “It is unacceptable for the men and women who protect us to be treated like second-class citizens over partisan bickering. We need to re-open our government. This is shameful.”
To keep Americans secure and ensure that the men and women in the Coast Guard are able to pay their bills on time, Van Drew, that day, introduced legislation to fund the Coast Guard for fiscal year 2019.
Van Drew will also offer legislation to fund the Federal Aviation Administration which ensures the safety of skies, is integral to the nation’s modern economy and serves as a hub of aviation innovation.
“While I would prefer that we end this unnecessary shutdown across all departments and get our country up and running again, we cannot afford to play politics with the safety of our citizens and national security,” stated Van Drew.
“Funding the Coast Guard is the responsible thing to do as it would give our leaders more time to negotiate and make our military whole again.”
On his first day in office, Van Drew voted on a compromise package of funding bills to end the shutdown. The House of Representatives passed the funding package in a bipartisan manner.
The South Jersey community has come together to help the people and families affected.
The Seaville Fire Company and Wildwood American Legion Post 184 are accepting donations of non-perishable foods, diapers, baby food, and money to help aid the federal employees, including the Coast Guard and employees of the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center, that are affected by the shutdown.
Additionally, Barbara Cosmo, a former Coast Guard wife and community member, is doing all she can to bring her community together and promote donations.
“This is a humanitarian issue,” stated Cosmo, “many of these people are living paycheck to paycheck, and they are suffering through no fault of their own.”
Van Drew is concerned for his constituents and all those who are affected by the shutdown.
“We need to separate these issues. We can address the border crisis without this shutdown and the distressing effects it is having on South Jersey and the United States of America. I have been hearing from the Coast Guard and FAA Tech Center as well as its contractors and families and they are feeling the weight of this shutdown”, stated Van Drew, adding “We must come together to end it.”
Van Drew’s office in Washington is in Cannon House Office Building Room 331. His district office is in Mays Landing. Van Drew took office Jan. 3, 2019.