Last night, U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18)—along with Representatives Peter Defazio, Bennie Thompson and John Garamendi—introduced the Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act of 2019, bipartisan legislation that would provide funding for the United States Coast Guard and ensure that active duty and reserve members of the Coast Guard are paid during the government shutdown.
Members of the Coast Guard are the only members of the United States military not being paid for their critical and continuing operations.
“Members of the Coast Guard are the only members of the United States military not being paid right now,” Rep. Mast said. “As one of the five Armed Services, the United States Coast Guard always upholds their duty to our country, continuing to perform critical missions that protect and defend our nation. We must uphold our duty to the men and women of the Coast Guard by ensuring their paychecks continue on schedule.”
The Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act of 2019, which mirrors a Senate companion bill, provides funding during any period during which interim or full-year appropriations for the Coast Guard are not in effect. The Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act provides for:
- Pay and allowances for active duty and reserve members of the Coast Guard;
- Pay and allowances for civilian employees of the Coast Guard;
- Pay and allowances for contractors of the Coast Guard;
- Payment of death gratuities with respect to members of the Coast Guard;
- Payment or reimbursement of authorized funeral travel and travel related to the dignified transfer of remains and unit memorial services with respect to members of the Coast Guard;
- Temporary continuation of a basic housing allowance for dependents of members of the Coast Guard dying while on active duty; and
- Coast Guard retired pay and benefits.
