US Coast Guard Gets $15Mln Donation To Aid Service Members Affected By Gov't. Shutdown

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th January, 2019) The US Coast Guard has accepted a $15 million donation from the United Services automobile Association (USAA) to assist service members during the partial Federal government shutdown, Adm. Karl Schultz said in a letter to service members.

"I am encouraged to share that Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) has received a $15 million donation from USAA to support our people in need," the letter said on Tuesday.

The letter was sent on the day when service members did not receive by-monthly paychecks because of the government shutdown.

Schultz explained the funding will be distributed with the assistance of the American Red Cross.

Schultz also said the Department of Homeland Security continues to communicate with the Coast Guard leadership and will provide updates on further developments regarding the government shutdown.

The US government has been closed for 25 days and 800,000 federal employees have been furloughed for nearly a month without an indication when can they return to work. The government was partially shut down because of the failure of congressional Democrats and President Donald Trump to reach a deal on a spending bill. Trump is asking Congress to approve $5.7 billion for building a wall on the US border with Mexico, but Democrats have refused to provide the funds.