Most politicians know the Coast Guard operates behind the scenes, but few realize the Coast Guard can shut America’s economic lifelines pretty darn quickly. As Port Captains, Coast Guard representatives have the full and unquestioned authority to lock down America’s maritime, shuttering the river ports of Kentucky, halting all traffic in the Mississippi river basin, and closing ports throughout the Gulf Coast and beyond.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/craighooper/2021/08/02/with-no-pay-coast-guard-can-make-politicians-rue-a-debt-ceiling-showdown/?sh=6f48dbc218b2