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Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act of 2025

3/25/2025, 8:06 AM

Summary of Bill HR 1542

Bill 119 hr 1542, also known as the Coast Guard Pay Protection Act, aims to amend title 14 of the United States Code to ensure that Coast Guard personnel continue to receive their pay in the event that an appropriations Act expires before a new one is enacted. This bill is designed to prevent any disruptions in pay for Coast Guard members during times of budget uncertainty.

The Coast Guard is a vital branch of the military responsible for protecting our nation's coastlines and waterways. Without proper funding, the Coast Guard's ability to carry out its important missions could be compromised. This bill seeks to provide a safeguard for Coast Guard personnel by ensuring that their pay is protected even if Congress fails to pass a new appropriations Act in a timely manner.

In addition to addressing pay protection for Coast Guard members, this bill also includes provisions for other purposes related to the Coast Guard. While the specifics of these additional purposes are not outlined in the summary, it is clear that the primary focus of the bill is to ensure that Coast Guard personnel are not left without pay in the event of a budgetary lapse. Overall, the Coast Guard Pay Protection Act is a crucial piece of legislation that aims to support and protect the men and women who serve in the Coast Guard. By ensuring that their pay is secure, this bill helps to maintain the readiness and effectiveness of the Coast Guard in carrying out its important missions.

Congressional Summary of HR 1542

Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act of 2025

This bill provides continuing appropriations to the Coast Guard for pay and benefits when there is a Coast Guard-specific funding lapse.

Under the bill, a Coast Guard-specific funding lapse occurs when (1) a bill providing appropriations for the Coast Guard for a fiscal year has not been enacted before the beginning of that fiscal year, and no joint resolution providing continuing appropriations for the Coast Guard is in effect; and (2) a bill providing appropriations for the Department of Defense (DOD) for the fiscal year has been enacted before the beginning of the fiscal year, or a joint resolution providing continuing appropriation for DOD is in effect. 

If a Coast Guard-specific funding lapse occurs, the bill provides appropriations to the Coast Guard for

  • pay and allowances for military members of the Coast Guard who perform active service or inactive-duty training;
  • pay and benefits for certain civilian employees and contract employees;
  • the payment of a death gratuity;
  • payments for travel related to funerals, the dignified transfer of remains, and unit memorial services; and
  • the temporary continuation of the basic allowance for housing for dependents of members of the Coast Guard dying on active duty.

The bill generally provides the appropriations to the Coast Guard until the earlier of

  • the enactment of specified Coast Guard appropriations legislation,
  • the termination of the availability of appropriations for DOD, or
  • two weeks after the beginning of the Coast Guard-specific funding lapse. 

Current Status of Bill HR 1542

Bill HR 1542 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since February 24, 2025. Bill HR 1542 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the House on February 24, 2025.  Bill HR 1542's most recent activity was Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. as of February 24, 2025

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 1542

Total Number of Sponsors
7
Democrat Sponsors
7
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
52
Democrat Cosponsors
37
Republican Cosponsors
15
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 1542

Primary Policy Focus

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 1542

To amend title 14, United States Code, to make appropriations for Coast Guard pay in the event an appropriations Act expires before the enactment of a new appropriations Act, and for other purposes.
To amend title 14, United States Code, to make appropriations for Coast Guard pay in the event an appropriations Act expires before the enactment of a new appropriations Act, and for other purposes.

Comments

Dash Bowen profile image

Dash Bowen

479

9 months ago

I oppose this bill. Who will be affected by it?

Jerry Nixon profile image

Jerry Nixon

433

8 months ago

I can't believe this bill is happening, it's so unfair to us! Why do they always have to mess with our money like this? Ugh, I can't even deal with it right now. #frustrated

Ellis Mathews profile image

Ellis Mathews

548

9 months ago

I don't know much about this bill, but it sounds like another waste of taxpayer money. Why should we be paying for something that might not even happen? It's ridiculous! This bill is just going to cause more problems than it solves. I can't believe they're even considering it. Short term, this bill is going to be a disaster for everyone involved.