WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) issued the following statement today after Democrats blocked his bid to fund paychecks for active duty and retired members of the Coast Guard:

“For quite possibly the first time since the Civil War, members of our armed services are working without pay.  That’s just pitiful.  Coast Guard members put their lives on the line every single day in service of this country.  They deserve better than this,” said Sen. Kennedy.  “If my Democratic colleagues won’t come to the table to negotiate, then the least they can do is pay the Coast Guard.  Make no mistake.  Democrats are making the Coast Guard hostages to Washington politics.  If you’re risking life and limb for this country, the least we can do is pay you.”

Click here or the photo below to watch Sen. Kennedy’s floor speech.