# Plain Language Summary: Protecting Gold Star Spouses Act of 2023

This bill ensures that the Coast Guard continues paying survivor benefits to the spouses and families of deceased Coast Guard retirees. Specifically, it guarantees funding for two benefit programs—the Retired Serviceman's Family Protection Plan and the Survivor Benefits Plan—which provide financial support to families after a Coast Guard member passes away. Without this bill, there's a risk that these payments could be interrupted if Congress doesn't pass a regular budget on time.

The practical impact is straightforward: Gold Star spouses (the surviving spouses of military members who died in service or as retirees) won't have to worry about their monthly benefit checks stopping due to government budget delays or lapses. The bill automatically provides whatever money is needed to keep these payments flowing each year, using the same payment amounts and rules that were in place under the most recent full budget that Congress passed. This is important because these survivor benefits are often a family's primary source of income after losing a loved one who served in the Coast Guard.

The bill also includes a technical provision: if Congress eventually passes a new budget that includes funding for these programs, any money already spent under this bill will be counted against that new budget. This prevents the government from accidentally paying twice for the same benefits. Essentially, this is a safety net that keeps survivor payments going without interruption while Congress works on passing regular appropriations bills.

Protecting Gold Star Spouses Act of 2023

Green, Mark E.

Protecting Gold Star Spouses Act of 2023 This bill provides interim appropriations for the Coast Guard Retired Serviceman's Family Protection and Survivor Benefits Plans if a bill providing appropriations for the plans has not been enacted before the fiscal year begins. The bill provides the appropriations at the rate of operations and under the terms and conditions provided by the most recent law making full-year appropriations for the plans. The appropriations provided by this bill are not available after a bill is enacted that (1) provides appropriations for the plans, or (2) provides appropriations for the Coast Guard without funding the plans.