Bill > S802

This bill establishes provisions to ensure that Coast Guard personnel continue to receive pay and benefits during a funding lapse, specifically when a Coast Guard appropriations bill is not passed but a Department of Defense appropriations bill is enacted. The bill defines a "Coast Guard-specific funding lapse" as a situation where the Coast Guard's annual funding bill is not passed at the start of a fiscal year, while the Department of Defense's funding bill is. Under these circumstances, the bill automatically appropriates funds to continue paying military members, civilian employees, and contract employees who are providing critical support services. The legislation covers not just regular pay, but also includes death gratuities, funeral travel expenses, housing allowances for dependents of service members who die on active duty, and other essential benefits. The appropriated funds would remain available until either a new appropriations bill is passed, a continuing resolution is enacted, or Department of Defense funding terminates. The bill emphasizes that the Coast Guard is a military service and a branch of the Armed Forces that should receive equitable treatment with other military branches, ensuring that its personnel are not financially disadvantaged during congressional funding disputes.

Budget and Finance

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/802/all-info