As a result, for 35 days 960 families did not receive childcare subsidies necessary to allow them to care for their children while meeting mission demands, death benefits were not paid to survivors of Coast Guard members who died while on active duty, and housing leases for personnel living in government leased housing were not paid. Maritime security was also put at risk as issuance of merchant mariner documents and licenses, vessel documentation and inspections of new commercial vessel construction, and recreational boating safety and bridge administration activities all ceased or were curtailed.
This bill provides continuing appropriations to the U.S. Coast Guard that compensates them for their time for up to two weeks during which interim or full-year appropriations for the Coast Guard are not in effect if the Department of Defense is being funded. This would cover pay for active duty, reserve, and civilian employees of the Coast Guard. It also covers basic allowances, funeral travel, and gratuities for families of service members who have died on active duty.
FRA works to ensure funding parity with DoD on pay, benefits and housing for Coast Guard personnel plus adequate resources for same within the U.S. Coast Guard budget. The Pay our Coast Guard Parity Act of 2023 is a crucial step in supporting the men and women of the Coast Guard and their families, and ensuring that they are treated fairly. Please ask your Representative to support this bill.