House advances Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act

This week, the House of Representatives advanced the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022, seeking to authorize funding for bolstering Coast Guard operations.

The legislation also replaces and modernizes Coast Guard cutters and shoreside and cyber infrastructure.

“The House fulfilled an important duty by passing the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022,” Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Peter DeFazio (D-OR) said. “The passage of this bipartisan legislation will ensure the Coast Guard can continue to carry out their critical missions, including keeping our coastal communities safe, protecting our ports and waterways, supporting our marine environment, fighting drug trafficking, and responding quickly to dangerous emergencies and disasters.”

DeFazio said the bill includes provisions of the Safer Seas Act, which he introduced to prevent sexual violence in the maritime industry while protecting survivors.

“The Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act will ensure that the Service has the resources needed to protect our borders, intercept illegal drugs and migrants, support navigation and commerce, and safeguard those at sea,” Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) said. “This bill will help provide the Coast Guard with vital assets to support their mission, such as an additional National Security Cutter and six more Fast Response Cutters, and it includes a provision championed by Don Young to allow the Coast Guard to keep Russian vessels out of U.S. waters during the ongoing Ukraine crisis–all of which will help ensure our Coast Guard is prepared for its current and future role in securing our nation.”

The measure is named for U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-AK), who passed away late last week. Young served as the chair of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure from 2001 to 2007.