Coast Guard operating in "crisis" as shutdown halts pay, strains missions overseas
The U.S. Coast Guard is facing a severe operational and financial crisis due to the ongoing 75-day shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, which has halted pay and left over $300 million in unpaid obligations, including $5.2 million in overdue utility bills. Essential services at duty stations and military housing across the country have been disrupted, with water, power, and gas shut off at multiple locations, affecting both operations and personnel's living conditions. Coast Guard leadership and families describe the situation as unprecedented and deeply damaging to morale, with service members continuing missions despite personal hardships.
- ▪The Coast Guard has accumulated over $300 million in unpaid obligations and more than 6,000 overdue utility bills due to the DHS funding lapse.
- ▪Water, power, and natural gas services have been cut off at Coast Guard stations in Michigan, California, Hawaii, and Missouri, impacting both operations and housing.
- ▪Nearly 1,000 Coast Guard housing units are at risk of electricity shutoff, with 43% of housing units having utility invoices over 30 days past due.
- ▪Coast Guard personnel and families are experiencing severe financial strain, with leaders describing workforce frustration as 'furious' and a 'breach of trust.'
- ▪Unlike other military branches, the Coast Guard falls under DHS and therefore does not receive automatic funding during a government shutdown.
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Exclusive Politics Coast Guard operating in "crisis" as DHS shutdown halts pay in May, cuts power, strains missions overseas By Nicole Sganga Nicole Sganga Homeland Security and Justice Correspondent Nicole Sganga is CBS News' homeland security and justice correspondent. She is based in Washington, D.C., and reports for all shows and platforms. Read Full Bio Nicole Sganga April 30, 2026 / 6:00 AM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google The U.S. Coast Guard cannot pay its bills. The military branch – now 75 days into the longest shutdown in U.S. history – owes over $300 million in unpaid obligations. And with thousands of utility bills overdue, totaling $5.2 million, duty stations and military housing worldwide are facing service shutdowns.
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