Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would strengthen, support and authorize U.S. Coast Guard funding through 2029.
The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 authorizes funding that supports Coast Guard operations and the continued recapitalization of its cutter fleet, aviation assets, shoreside facilities and IT capabilities.
The bill increases transparency and accountability in the Coast Guard’s acquisition process, and allows for the adoption of next-generation autonomous technologies.
It creates a secretary of the Coast Guard, putting the Coast Guard on greater parity with the other armed services.
It strengthen protections for Coast Guard members against sexual assault and harassment.
Finally, the bill strengthens U.S.-Build requirements and amends requirements for merchant mariner credentials to facilitate an increase in the pool of qualified U.S. merchant mariners.
Sam Graves (R-MO), Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman; Rick Larsen (D-WA), Transportation and Infrastructure Committee ranking member; Mike Ezell (R-MS), Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee chairman; and Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee ranking member introduced the bill.
“The Coast Guard is one of our nation’s six armed services, and Congress must provide these brave men and women the support they need to carry out their many missions,” Graves said.