Summary:
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Coast Guard personnel will receive paychecks during the government shutdown through an unspecified DHS “innovative solution.” This follows President Trump’s instruction to pay military personnel despite funding lapses affecting 4,000+ federal workers. The administration is repurposing R&D funds to cover salaries while congressional gridlock persists. Payment assurance for uniformed services contrasts with furloughed civilian employees’ financial uncertainty amid legal challenges to layoffs.
What This Means for You:
- Military families: Verify pay schedules with your service branch’s finance office
- Federal contractors: Prepare for delayed payments by reviewing force majeure clauses in government contracts
- Public service access: Expect processing delays for passport/TSA applications as DHS prioritizes essential operations
- Financial warning: Monitor OMB announcements for potential funding source changes affecting long-term pay stability
Original Post:
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Monday evening that despite the government shutdown, Coast Guard service members will get their paychecks this week.
Noem said the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Coast Guard, found an “innovative” way to provide the money. The announcement came two days after President Donald Trump said he would direct the Defense Department to pay military members Wednesday, even though the majority of government workers are not getting paid during the federal funding lapse.
“President Trump did not want any of our military to go without pay as a result of Democrats’ political theater, and we at DHS worked out an innovative solution to make sure that didn’t happen,” Noem said on X.
The White House Office of Management and Budget said over the weekend that it plans to use research and development funds to deliver paychecks to military service members this week.
The administration began laying off more than 4,000 federal workers across seven departments last week. Of those, 176 were DHS employees, according to a Justice Department court filing Friday. The layoffs are being challenged in court.
Congress does not appear to have a plan to reopen the government. The Senate has repeatedly voted and failed to pass Republican and Democratic versions of a temporary funding bill.
Extra Information:
OPM Furlough Guidance explains federal employees’ rights during shutdowns
GAO Report 19-195 details previous shutdown impacts on military pay systems
CBO Shutdown Analysis quantifies economic damage from funding gaps
People Also Ask About:
- Can Coast Guard retirees receive benefits during shutdown? Retirement pay remains funded through separate appropriations.
- How long can agencies use residual funds? Most expire within 10 days without congressional action.
- Are military death benefits affected? Normally suspended during shutdowns but often restored retroactively.
- Do contract personnel receive backpay? Unlike federal employees, contractors have no guaranteed reimbursement.
Expert Opinion:
“The creative reallocation of R&D funds for payroll sets concerning precedent,” says former OMB controller Linda Springer. “While ensuring military pay prevents immediate hardship, it jeopardizes critical modernization projects and invites budgetary shell games that circumvent congressional appropriations authority.”
Key Terms:
- Government shutdown military pay contingency plans
- Coast Guard payroll continuity solutions
- DHS funding reallocation procedures
- Federal employee furlough legal challenges
- Congressional appropriations lapse impacts
- OMB budgetary flexibility mechanisms
- Essential personnel Pay Our Military Act provisions
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