Federal lawmakers have introduced new legislation to ensure surviving spouses of Coast Guard members will continue to receive Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payouts during future government shutdowns.

Unlike those serving under the Department of Defense, more than 40,000 members of the Coast Guard worked without pay during the recent shutdown - the longest in U.S. history.

“Gold Star families have suffered enough - they don’t need to be used as political pawns during games of partisan brinkmanship,” said Green, a Life Member of MOAA who served as an infantry officer and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. “As a military veteran, I know many Gold Star families that have overcome devastating loss and adversity. The last thing they need is to worry whether or not they will receive their next check.”