The "Pay Our Coast Guard Act" ensures that Coast Guard members and essential civilian employees continue to receive pay and benefits during government funding lapses, aligning their compensation with other branches of the Armed Forces.
Ted Cruz
Senator
TX
The "Pay Our Coast Guard Act" ensures that Coast Guard members, including military, civilian, and contract personnel, continue to receive pay and benefits during government funding lapses, particularly when the Department of Defense is funded but the Coast Guard is not. It designates funds for salaries, death benefits, and essential services, defining a "Coast Guard-specific funding lapse" and outlining the conditions under which the appropriated funds remain available. The Commandant of the Coast Guard determines which civilian and contract employees are considered "qualified" to receive pay during a funding lapse based on their support roles or the necessity of their work. This act aims to provide equitable treatment for Coast Guard personnel compared to other members of the Armed Forces.
New Bill Guarantees Coast Guard Pay During Government Shutdowns, Even if DHS Funding Lapses
This bill, the 'Pay Our Coast Guard Act,' aims to solve a recurring headache: ensuring Coast Guard members get paid even when parts of the government shut down. It essentially sets up an automatic funding mechanism specifically for the Coast Guard if their regular appropriations bill stalls, provided the Department of Defense's funding is already secured.
Keeping the Paychecks Flowing
Here’s the core idea: Section 3 of the act automatically appropriates the necessary funds to cover pay and allowances for Coast Guard military personnel (active duty and reserves on duty) if a specific type of shutdown occurs. This kicks in if a fiscal year starts without a Coast Guard funding bill enacted, but after a defense funding bill is enacted. Think of it as a targeted safety net, recognizing, as Section 2 notes, that the Coast Guard is an armed service, regardless of whether it's operating under Homeland Security or the Navy.
Who's Covered and What Else?
It's not just uniformed members. The bill also covers pay for certain civilian employees and contractors deemed 'qualified' by the Commandant – essentially those needed to support Coast Guard operations during the lapse (Section 3). This introduces a decision point, as the Commandant determines who fits this 'qualified' category. Importantly, the bill also ensures funding continues for critical family support, like death gratuities, funeral travel, and temporary housing allowances if a member dies on active duty during such a funding gap (Section 3). This provides a crucial baseline of security for families during uncertain times.
The Bottom Line: Stability for the Service
In practical terms, this legislation is designed to prevent situations where Coast Guard members, unlike their DoD counterparts, have to work without knowing when their next paycheck will arrive during partial government shutdowns. It aims to provide financial stability and acknowledges the essential, often dangerous, work they do. The funding continues until a proper Coast Guard appropriation bill is passed or the DoD's funding is terminated (Section 3). While it doesn't prevent shutdowns, it shields Coast Guard personnel and their families from the immediate financial fallout when specific funding conditions are met.