H.R. 1542 — Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act of 2025

This section states congressional findings that (1) the Coast Guard is a military service and branch of the Armed Forces at all times, regardless of whether it operates in the Department of Homeland Security or the Navy; and (2) Coast Guard members should receive pay and benefits equitable to those of other Armed Forces members, notwithstanding respective appropriations unless otherwise provided by law.

This section establishes new 14 U.S.C. §2780 to continue pay and benefits for Coast Guard personnel during a Coast Guard-specific funding lapse—defined as a fiscal year beginning without enacted Coast Guard appropriations (or continuing resolution) but with enacted Department of Defense appropriations (or continuing resolution). It appropriates sums as necessary (1) for pay and allowances to military members, including reserves, performing active service or inactive-duty training; (2) for pay and benefits to qualified civilian employees (i.e., those supporting military members or performing excepted/emergency work); (3) for pay and benefits to qualified contract employees (i.e., those supporting military or qualified civilian personnel); and (4) for death gratuities, authorized funeral travel, and temporary basic allowance for housing for dependents of deceased members (Thus, these funds are available at the pertinent appropriations Act rate for operations, without regard to 31 U.S.C. §1513 apportionment timelines, until charged to future appropriations or terminated after two weeks, DoD funding ends, or Coast Guard appropriations are enacted or denied.) It also makes a conforming amendment to the chapter analysis.