In a blow to national security and maritime safety, the U.S. Coast Guard is facing an internal crisis as the partial Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown reaches its 75th day. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday revealed that the funding lapse has become so severe that utility companies are beginning to shut off power, water, and gas at active military installations across the country. During a CBS News interview, Lunday confirmed that “the lights are shutting off” at stations tasked with life-saving missions. In the last several days, Station Channel Islands in California and Station Port Huron in Michigan had their power cut off, while Air Station Barbers Point in Hawaii saw its natural gas service interrupted. While the Coast Guard was able to restore these specific services, Lunday warned that the number of shutoffs is expected to rise. These stations operate 24/7, 365 days a year, standing ready to respond to mariners in distress or national security threats. “I think a lot of Americans would be pissed to hear this is happening,” the CBS interviewer posited to the Admiral. “Furious,” Lunday responded. “That’s exactly right.” EXCLUSIVE: Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday tells CBS News’ @NicoleSganga that several Coast Guard stations across the country recently lost power, water or gas. Service has been restored, but he warns more outages could happen as the DHS shutdown continues. More tomorrow… pic.twitter.com/G0k6qtz80h — CBS News (@CBSNews) April 29, 2026 The Coast Guard acts as the nation’s maritime police force. Because they have Title 14 authority, they can board vessels at sea without a warrant to ensure compliance with U.S. laws. Drug Interdiction: They are the lead agency for stopping the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S. via the sea, often seizing billions of dollars worth of cocaine and marijuana annually. Migrant Interdiction: They patrol the Caribbean and the Pacific to intercept human trafficking and illegal migration, often rescuing people from unseaworthy vessels. Ports & Waterways Security: They protect 361 U.S. ports from terrorism and ensure that “high interest” vessels (like tankers or cruise ships) are screened before entering. The Coast Guard currently holds the distinction of being the only military branch impacted by the funding stalemate. Because the service falls under the Department of Homeland Security rather than the Department of Defense, its personnel are caught in a legislative “procedural loop” over immigration enforcement and the SAVE Act. The human cost of the 75-day impasse is mounting: Personnel Hardship: While active-duty members have received intermittent pay through discretionary funding shifts, there is no guarantee of future checks. Families are reportedly relying on interest-free loans from Coast Guard Mutual Assistance to buy groceries. Civilian Crisis: Nearly 10,000 civilian employees went unpaid for nearly two months. One civil servant in Alaska reportedly sold his car to pay rent before emergency funding was briefly released. Operational Decay: Over $200 million in unpaid bills has caused private contractors to cease maintenance on ships and aircraft. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has staunchly refused to bring the bill funding DHS to a vote, as House Republicans are insisting on a funding package that includes strict immigration reforms and the SAVE Act, using the DHS budget as legislative leverage. “We have to move DHA funding because it’s urgent … we are out of money,” Johnson stated. Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Phil Waldron told a House subcommittee that the workforce’s focus is being “dangerously fractured” by financial anxiety. “Their focus is required for dangerous missions,” Waldron said. “That focus is fractured when they’re worried about paying their rent.” As of April 30, 2026, the shutdown remains the longest in DHS history. While the Coast Guard continues to answer distress calls under its “Always Ready” motto, leadership warns that every day of the shutdown creates a 2.5-day recovery backlog, hollowing out the readiness of the nation’s primary maritime shield.