By Aniela Szymanski, Chief Policy Officer

Government Funding and Continuing Resolution
In late 2025, after Congress failed to pass all 12 annual appropriations bills by the start of the fiscal year on October 1, 2025, the federal government entered a shutdown that continued until November 12, 2025, when Congress passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) that temporarily funded most of the federal government through January 30, 2026. This CR provided stopgap funding at prior year levels so agencies — including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) — could continue operating while Congress worked on full-year spending legislation.

National Defense Authorization Act vs. Appropriations
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026 was passed by both chambers of Congress and signed into law by the president in December 2025. Included within the NDAA for FY 2026 are provisions equivalent to a Coast Guard Authorization Act, which authorize Coast Guard programs and activities and set funding levels and policy through fiscal 2027. These provisions originated from legislation (e.g., the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025) and were incorporated into the NDAA’s text.

However, even though the NDAA (and its Coast Guard authorizing language) is law, the appropriations necessary to actually fund many of those programs — including Defense and DHS accounts that cover Coast Guard operations — had not been enacted as of late January 2026. That means Congress still had to pass the annual Defense Appropriations Act and Homeland Security Appropriations Act (or a new CR) to provide the actual funding those authorizations assume.

Congressional Gridlock and Separate Funding Actions
In the days leading up to the January 30th CR expiration, lawmakers were negotiating the remaining funding bills. According to multiple news reports, disagreements — particularly over policy conditions attached to DHS funding — caused delays.

To keep the government funded and avert a lapse on January 30, the Senate agreed to separate DHS funding from the larger funding package. DHS would be funded temporarily under a new short CR (two weeks), while the rest of the appropriations bills — including Defense — moved forward for potential passage. This split was designed to buy more time for negotiations on DHS policy while funding the rest of the government.

What This Means for Coast Guard Pay
The short DHS CR extending funding for two weeks beyond January 30 means Coast Guard pay and operations should continue through that temporary period.

During this period of continuing funding uncertainty, CWOA has been engaged with members of Congress and the White House to emphasize the importance of timely appropriations for the Coast Guard and its missions. These engagements aim to ensure Coast Guard funding and operations remain a priority amid broader political debates about federal spending and policy.