Bill Summary
The "Coast Guard Sustained Funding Act of 2025" aims to ensure that Coast Guard personnel, including military members, qualified civilian employees, and contract employees, continue to receive their pay and benefits even if there is a lapse in appropriations. This situation occurs when a general appropriation bill for the Coast Guard has not been passed before the start of a new fiscal year, and no temporary funding measures are in place.
Key provisions include:
1. **Continued Pay and Benefits**: The Act appropriates necessary funds to ensure that military members, civilian employees, and contract workers are compensated during any funding lapse.
2. **Exceptions to Anti-Deficiency Act**: While the Anti-Deficiency Act usually prohibits federal agencies from spending money not appropriated by Congress, this Act provides exemptions for situations involving emergencies or necessary functions of the President's duties.
3. **Definitions**: The Act clarifies who qualifies as a civilian or contract employee eligible for continued funding during a lapse, emphasizing those providing critical support or performing essential services.
Overall, this legislation is designed to protect the financial stability of the Coast Guard workforce during periods of governmental budgetary uncertainty.
Possible Impacts
The Coast Guard Sustained Funding Act of 2025 has several potential impacts on various groups of people. Here are three examples:
1. **Coast Guard Personnel**: The act ensures that military members of the Coast Guard, including reservists, continue to receive their pay and allowances during periods of funding lapses. This is crucial for maintaining the financial stability of Coast Guard personnel, allowing them to focus on their duties without the stress of unpaid work. It enhances morale and operational readiness, as service members can be assured that their financial needs will be met even in times of governmental budgetary uncertainty.
2. **Civilian Employees and Contractors**: Qualified civilian employees and contract employees of the Coast Guard will also receive pay and benefits during lapses in appropriations. This provision protects the livelihoods of those who support Coast Guard operations and ensures that essential services continue without interruption. It reduces the risk of layoffs or financial hardship for these employees, which can have broader economic implications for their families and local communities.
3. **Public Safety and Security**: By providing continuous funding for the Coast Guard, the act indirectly affects public safety and national security. The Coast Guard plays a vital role in maritime safety, law enforcement, and environmental protection. Ensuring that its personnel are paid and ready to perform their duties during funding lapses means that the agency can maintain its operations effectively, thereby protecting lives, property, and the environment. This continuity of service is particularly important during emergencies or crises, when Coast Guard capabilities are critically needed.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2051 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2051
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.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 11, 2025
Mr. Green of Tennessee (for himself and Mr. Gimenez) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
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.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Coast Guard Sustained Funding Act of
2025''.
SEC. 2. PAY; CONTINUATION DURING LAPSE IN APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 27 of title 14, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 2780. Pay; continuation during lapse in appropriations
``(a) In General.--In the case of any period in which there is a
Coast Guard-specific funding lapse, there are appropriated such sums as
may be necessary--
``(1) to provide pay and allowances to military members of
the Coast Guard, including the reserve component thereof, who
perform active service or inactive-duty training during such
period;
``(2) to provide pay and benefits to qualified civilian
employees of the Coast Guard; and
``(3) to provide pay and benefits to qualified contract
employees of the Coast Guard.
``(b) Application of Anti-Deficiency Act.--Section 1341 of title 31
(commonly referred to as the `Anti-Deficiency Act') shall apply to
operations carried out under this section, except--
``(1) in the case of law that expressly authorizes
incurring obligations in advance of appropriations;
``(2) operations that involve emergencies involving the
safety of human life or the protection of property; and
``(3) with respect to functions necessary to discharge the
congressional duties of the President.
``(c) Coast Guard-Specific Funding Lapse.--For purposes of this
section, a Coast Guard-specific funding lapse occurs in any case in
which a general appropriation bill providing appropriations for the
Coast Guard for a fiscal year is not enacted before the beginning of
such fiscal year (and no joint resolution making continuing
appropriations for the Coast Guard is in effect).
``(d) Termination.--Appropriations and funds made available and
authority granted for any fiscal year for any purpose under subsection
(a) shall be available until whichever of the following first occurs:
``(1) The enactment into law of an appropriation (including
a continuing appropriation) for such purpose.
``(2) The enactment into law of the applicable regular or
continuing appropriations resolution or other Act without any
appropriation for such purpose.
``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Qualified civilian employee.--The term `qualified
civilian employee' means a civilian employee of the Coast Guard
who the Commandant determines is--
``(A) providing support to members of the Coast
Guard or another Armed Force; or
``(B) performing work as an excepted employee or an
employee performing emergency work, as such terms are
defined by the Office of Personnel Management.
``(2) Qualified contract employee of the coast guard.--The
term `qualified contract employee of the Coast Guard' means an
individual performing work under a contract who the Commandant
determines is--
``(A) providing support to military members or
qualified civilian employees of the Coast Guard or
another Armed Force; or
``(B) required to perform work during a lapse in
appropriations.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 27 of title 14,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``2780. Pay; continuation during lapse in appropriations.''.
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