WASHINGTON, DC (June 3, 2026) |
The Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) urged the House Committee on Homeland Security to support a permanent funding mechanism that ensures Coast Guard personnel receive uninterrupted pay during any future lapse in Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations.
“Coast Guard members and their families deserve the same financial certainty that supports readiness across the military community," says Anthony Hernandez, DCUC President/CEO, Ret. U.S. Air Force Colonel. "When servicemembers are asked to continue their mission during funding disruptions, they should not also have to worry about meeting basic household expenses. Defense credit unions are proud to support military families when challenges arise, but the strongest solution is one that provides stability and peace of mind from the start. Ensuring uninterrupted pay for Coast Guard personnel helps strengthen both military and family readiness, morale, and support."
In an official letter submitted for the record ahead of the Committee's hearing, "A Review of the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request for DHS," DCUC’s Chief Advocacy Officer, Jason Stverak, detailed how defense credit unions mobilized nationwide to provide emergency assistance, including no-interest loans, payroll advances, payment relief, financial counseling, and community support programs designed to help families weather missed paychecks:
“These were not abstract budget events; they imposed real hardship on Coast Guard families and the broader DHS workforce…On October 10, 2025, DCUC published a national roundup of member-credit-union relief efforts…These programs were practical lifelines for families trying to buy groceries, keep current on bills, and avoid long-term credit damage.”
DCUC pointed to testimony from Coast Guard leadership and federal workforce data showing that compensation concerns, housing costs, childcare challenges, and workforce shortages already place significant pressure on service members and their families.
“We respectfully request the Committee advance permanent statutory protections that guarantee Coast Guard pay during future funding interruptions, protect family-readiness programs, and ensure the men and women safeguarding the nation's maritime security are never again forced to endure financial uncertainty while carrying out their mission,” says Stverak.
Learn more about DCUC’s advocacy on this topic here.