US Federal House Bill HB1542

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/24/25
• Refer: 2/24/25

Caption

Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act of 2025

Summary

The Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act of 2025 would create a statutory funding mechanism to ensure Coast Guard personnel continue to be paid during a lapse in appropriations that affects the Coast Guard specifically. The bill states that the Coast Guard is a military service and a branch of the Armed Forces at all times, and it seeks to align Coast Guard pay and benefits with those of other uniformed services during a funding gap. Under the bill, if Congress has enacted funding for the Department of Defense but not for the Coast Guard, certain sums would be automatically appropriated to cover pay and allowances for active-duty and reserve Coast Guard members, pay and benefits for qualifying civilian employees and contract employees, and certain death, funeral, and housing-related benefits for families of members who die on active duty. The authority would last until regular funding is enacted, a continuing resolution covers the Coast Guard, Department of Defense funding ends, or two weeks pass after the lapse begins, whichever comes first.

Impact

The bill would amend chapter 27 of title 14, United States Code, by adding a new section 2780 establishing continuation of pay and related benefits during a Coast Guard-specific funding lapse. It would also update the chapter analysis to reflect the new provision. In practical terms, the measure would change how appropriations law applies to the Coast Guard by authorizing temporary funding for personnel costs and certain survivor benefits even when the service lacks its own appropriations, while charging those expenditures to future appropriations once enacted.

Sentiment

The available context suggests generally favorable treatment of the bill, with the measure introduced by bipartisan sponsors and no recorded votes or committee debate in the provided materials. The bill’s title and findings indicate a policy goal of parity for Coast Guard members relative to other Armed Forces personnel, implying support for ensuring uninterrupted pay and benefits during shutdowns or appropriations lapses. Because there are no transcripts or votes, there is no documented opposition in the supplied record.

Contention

The main policy issue is whether the Coast Guard should receive automatic pay protection during a Coast Guard-specific appropriations lapse when other federal funding may still be in place. Supporters appear to view this as a parity and readiness issue, emphasizing that the Coast Guard is a military service and should not be treated differently from other armed forces. Potential points of concern, though not documented in the provided record, would likely involve appropriations precedent, automatic spending authority, and the scope of coverage for civilian and contract employees as well as survivor benefits.