Bill would fund Coast Guard during government shutdown

The Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act of 2019, introduced Wednesday, aims to fund the Coast Guard during the government shutdown.

The more than 41,000 active duty Coast Guard members, 6,200 reservists, and 8,500 civilian personnel are the only members of the U.S. military not being paid during the shutdown.

The bill would fund active duty and civilian employee paychecks, allowances for contractors, pensions, death gratuities and would temporarily pay a basic housing allowance for dependents of Coast Guard members who die while on active duty. The bill also would provide reimbursement of authorized funeral travel and travel related to the dignified transfer of remains and unit memorial services.

The bipartisan bill was introduced by Reps. John Garamendi (D-CA); Brian Mast (R-FL); Peter DeFazio (D-OR), chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; and Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security.

“It is appalling that these brave service members, who are currently patrolling and protecting our coastal borders, would be forced to work without a paycheck,” DeFazio said.

Approximately 31 percent of active duty members do not have enough savings to cover one month of expenses, according to the Coast Guard.

The act, similar to one introduced in the Senate, provides funding when interim or full-year appropriations are not in effect.