Congress must pay Coast Guard arrears

Lives are being placed in jeopardy because the shortsightedness of Congress has forced the Coast Guard to scale back its air and sea patrols.

The Coast Guard is facing a $91 million budget deficit, and the fault lies entirely on Capitol Hill. Congress approved higher pay and benefits for the armed forces, which included the Coast Guard. But unlike the other armed forces, the Coast Guard budget comes not from the Pentagon’s allocation, but from the transportation spending bill.

Congress replenished the Pentagon’s budget, but didn’t revisit the transportation bill. Thus it required the Coast Guard to pay more to its personnel, without giving the Coast Guard the money to do so.

The Coast Guard also is in the red because fuel costs have soared unexpectedly. Nobody uses fuel to a better purpose. Hawaii knows this better than anyone.

Congress must put the Coast Guard on an even financial keel — immediately.

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