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COASTIE CORNER

Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act of 2023

By Yvette Purtill
The Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act of 2023 has been
introduced in the House by Rep. Hillary Scholten,
D-Mich. This bill would ensure that Coast Guard mem-
bers receive their pay during a government shutdown. Bill
HR 2693 states that Chapter 27 of title 14, United States
Code, would be updated to ensure that Coasties are paid
during any lapse in appropriations funding.

Coast Guard personnel are the only military branch
working without pay during government shutdowns.The This bill would ensure that Coast
Department of Homeland Security, not the Department Guard members receive their pay
of Defense, oversees the Coast Guard.
during a government shutdown.
Considering that the Coast Guard is vital to national security,
NERA fully supports this bill to pay Coasties during shut- Top: U.S. Coast Guard delivers 4,500 lbs of supplies to Federated
downs. In January 2019, during the longest government shut- States of Micronesia atollsThe crew of USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC
down, members of the Coast Guard continued to honorably 1140) and their two shipriders from U.S. Naval Hospital Guam stand for
serve but their paychecks stopped. Contact your member of a photo upon returning to Guam on Feb. 27, 2023. The crew of USCGC
Congress today to call for the passage of Pay Our Coast Guard Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) conducted a week-long deployment to the
Federated States of Micronesia in support of Operation Rematau,
Parity Act so we can avoid this kind of misjustice. NERA countering illegal fishing and strengthening partnerships with the local
appreciates your grassroots efforts in righting this wrong. island communities of several Yap outer island atolls.

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